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HE  SAID,   "LITTLE  TABLE  SET  THYSELF!" 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY 

^an—  **- ■  ■»* 

TALES 


EDITED   BY 

FRANCES  JENKINS  OLCOTT 


Illustrated  By 

Rie  Cramer 
Library,  Univ.  of 

North  Carolina 


THE  PENN  PUBLISHING 
COMPANY  PHILADELPHIA 

1922 


^ 


X 


COPYRIGHT 
1922  J.  BY 
THE  PENN 
PUBLISHING 
COMPANY 


Grimm's  Fairy  Tales 


Printed  in  the  U.  S.  A. 


J 

3S5 


en 


FOREWORD 

TO  our  American  boys  and  girls  is  offered  this  volume 
which  is  really  Grimm's  Fairy  Tales,  not  an  abridg- 
ment superficial  and  colorless,  nor  an  insipid  retelling 
of  the  stories. 

This  edition  is  based  on  the  Hunt  version,  with  an  introduc- 
tion by  the  folk-lorist,  Andrew  Lang.  The  Hunt  version  is 
considered  a  most  accurate  English  translation. 

From  the  full  collection,  fifty-one  stories  suitable  for  children 
have  been  selected.  Among  these  are  famous  tales  as  well  as 
many  delightful  ones  not  usually  included  in  children's  volumes. 

Where  the  Hunt  wording  is  too  stilted,  the  text  of  the 
Hausmarchen  itself  has  been  followed.  The  very  long  sen- 
tences have  been  subdivided.  While  that  quaint  old-fashioned 
translation,  illustrated  with  woodcuts  by  Wehnert,  has  con- 
tributed its  bit  of  folk  phraseology.  The  Editor's  desire  is 
to  restore  to  the  children  as  large  a  collection  as  possible 
of  Grimm's  Fairy  Tales  unmutilated  in  their  literary  perfec- 
tion. 

The  illustrations  are  by  the  well-known  Dutch  artist,  Mrs. 

Rie  Cramer.     Some  of  Rie  Cramer's  other  fairy  tale  pictures 

published  in  England,  are  said  by  admiring  critics  there,  to  be 

very  charming,  of  exceptional  merit,  and  to  have  high  artistic 

merit  of  their  own. 

Her  illustrations  for  Grimm  are  particularly  harmonious  in 

[5] 


FOREWORD 

color,  while  their  quaint  charm  grows  on  one  more  and  more  as 
one  lives  with  them.  They  are  fanciful  or  humorous.  They 
have  the  quality,  rare  in  fairy  tales,  of  actually  illustrating  their 
text.  This  will  mean  added  pleasure  to  the  children.  Rie 
Cramer's  little  black  and  white  headings  are  particularly  pretty 
and  graceful  in  outline. 

The  tales  are  presented  here  in  their  original  form,  with  noth- 
ing left  out  of  child-heartedness,  humor,  poetic  feeling,  and 
delicate  sentiment  and  fancy.  Indeed,  it  is  all  here — the  poesy 
and  purity  which  those  profound  and  child-loving  scholars,  the 
Brothers  Grimm,  retained  in  the  old  folk-tales  which,  with  so 
much  pains,  they  gathered  largely  from  among  the  peasant- 
folk  themselves. 

And  the  Brothers  explained,  in  their  preface,  that  they  had 
planned  the  volume  as  an  educational  book  as  well  as  one  for 
scholars ;  for  which  reason  they  had  eliminated  everything  which 
they  feared  might  harm  the  children.  But  since  the  Brothers 
issued  their  book,  about  a  hundred  years  ago,  educational  re- 
quirements of  what  is  ethically  best  for  children  have  materially 
advanced.  Therefore,  in  this  book,  a  few  other  parts  unsuit- 
able for  children  have  been  omitted. 

So  now  this  volume  of  Grimm's  Fairy  Tales  is  offered  to 
our  American  boys  and  girls;  and  may  they  have  continued 
delight  in  the  beautiful  old  folk-fictions,  which  have  come  down 
to  us  from  the  fresh  and  sparkling  meadows  and  woods  of 
ancient  days. 

Fathers  and  mothers,  too,  will  enjoy  reading  the  tales  aloud 
and  sharing  with  the  children  the  humor  and  the  deep  but  sim- 
ple ethical  truths  so  tenderly  and  poetically  set  forth  therein. 

[6] 


FOREWORD 

Teachers  and  story-tellers,  also,  may  find  in  this  sincere 
version,  rich  material  for  kindling  the  imagination  and  feeding 
the  poetic  fancy  of  their  pupils. 

The  Editor, 

Frances  Jenkins  Olcott. 


[7] 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

The  Editor's  acknowledgments  are  due  to  the  following 
texts : 

Kinder  und  Hausmarchen,  following  the  last  edition  author- 
ized by  William  Grimm  with  the  Grimm  Introduction  on  the 
origin  and  educational  use  of  the  tales. 

Household  Stories,  illustrated  by  Wehnert,  first  published 
in  London,  1853. 

But  most  especially  to  Household  Tales,  with  the  Author's 
notes,  translated  by  Margaret  Hunt,  introduction  by  Andrew 
Lang,  Bohn  Library. 

For  the  use  of  the  Hunt  text  the  Editor  gratefully  acknowl- 
edges the  gracious  permission  of  Messrs.  Harcourt,  Brace  and 
Company,  American  Publishers  of  the  Bohn  Library. 


[81 


CONTENTS 


The  Frog-King  ;  or,  Iron  Henry 13 

The  Wolf  and  the  Seven  Little  Kids 19 

Rapunzel 24 

v,    Little  Brother  and  Little  Sister 30 

The  Star-Money     .        . 39 

s     The  Fisherman  and  His  Wife 41 

S    The  White  Snake                                  .. 53 

0-  Haensel  and  Grethel  .        .        .     *. 59 

€  The  Seven  Ravens         ...        .    i/ 69 

s    Ash  Maiden 73 

— 'The  Elves  and  the  Shoemaker 83 

<4    The  Three  Brothers 86 

Little  Table  Set  Thyself,  Gold- Ass,  and  Cudgel  Out  of 

-<the  Sack 89 

*C  Iron  John 105 

Clever  Elsie .  117 

The  Bremen  Town-Musicians 122 

The  Six  Swans        ...      U 127 

The  Poor  Miller's  Boy  and  the  Cat  .       .        .        .        .        .  134 

Little  Bed-Cap 140 

N.    King"  Thrushbeard 145 

The  Gold-Children 151 

£  Little  Snow- White       .              \/. 159 

[9] 


CONTENTS 

y  PAOK 

bumpelstiltskin     .   ,    .      '. 171 

Little  Briar-Bose 176 

The  Three  Little  Men  in  the  Wood 181 

The  Golden  Bird 187 

Ythe  Queen  Bee 197  •- 

Bird-Found 200 

?  The  Golden  Goose 204 

Mother  Holle 208/_ 

The  Two  Travelers 213 

jorinda  and  joringel 228 

How  Six  Men  Got  On  in  the  World 232 

<  The  Goose-Girl  Y 240 

The  Singing,  Soaring  Lark 249 

Doctor  Knowall 257 

The  Blue  LigHt 260 

The  Spindle,  the  Shuttle,  and  the  Needle  ....  267 

The  Three  Luck-Children 272 

The  Donkey  Cabbages 276 

yN  Clever  Hans  W" 285 

-*<  The  Iron  Stove 291 

Sweet  Porridge 299 

Snow- White  and  Bose-Bed  .     "'.  301 

The  Hedge-King    .       u 310 

UOne-Eye,  Two-Eyes,  and  Three-Eyes 314 

--.  The  Goose- Girl  at  the  Well 325 

The  Shoes  That  Were  Danced  to  Pieces        ....  338 

^-The  Nix  of  the  Mill-Pond 344 

The  Little  House  in  the  Wood 352 

Maid  Maleen 360 


[10] 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Front 


PAGE 

ispiece 
20 


Hair 


He  Said,  "  Little  Table  Set  Thyself !  " 

The  Little  Kids  Cried,   "First  Show  Us  Your  Paws"  . 

The  King  Said,  "Will  You  Be  My  Dear  Wife?" 

"Yes,"  Said  She,   "Now  I  Am  Emperor"    . 

There  Lay  the  Gold  Ring  in  the  Shell   .... 

Each  Star  Sat  on  Its  Own  Little  Chair  .... 

The  Elves  Began  to  Stitch,  Sew,  and  Hammer 

The   King's  Daughter  Pulled  Off  His  Hat,  and  His  Golden 
Rolled  Down 

The  Princess  Went  Out  and  Gathered  Star-Flowers 

"Well,"  She  Laughed,  "He  Has  a  Chin  Like  a  Thrush's  Beak  " 

The  Maiden  Said,   "I  Will  Be  True  to  You,  Your  Life  Long" 

"Perhaps,"  Said  She,   "Your  Name  is  Rumpelstiltskiu !  "  . 

In  the  Moonlight  He  Saw  a  Bird  Whose  Feathers  Were  Shining 
with  Gold 

A  Heavy  Shower  of  Gold-Rain  Fell        .... 

The  Eldest  Got  the  Merry  Tailor  for  a  Husband  . 

The  Head  Answered,  "Alas!  Young  Queen  How  111  You  Fare  " 

The  First  Servant  Came  With  a  Dish  of  Delicate  Fare 

When  the  Corn  Was  Ripe,  They  Shot  It  Down    . 

Then   the  King's  Daughter  Came  to  a  Little  House  and  Peeped 
in  Through  the  Window 

"Don't  Be  Impatient,"  Said  Snow- White,  "I  Will  Help  You" 

When   the  Gray   Mask  Fell   Off,  the  Golden  Hair  Broke  Forth 

Like  Sunbeams 333 

The  Full  Moon  Came  :  She  Combed  Her  Long  Black  Hair  With 
the  Golden  Comb 


35 

48 
57 
71 
84 

111 

130 
146 
155 
174 

188 
210 
227 
244 
258 
273 

294 
306 


The  Prince  Took  Her  by  the  Hand  and  Led  Her  to  Church 

[11] 


348 
363 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 


THE  FROG-KING;  OR,  IRON  HENRY 

IN  old  times,  when  wishing  was  having,  there  lived  a  King 
whose  daughters  were  all  beautiful,  but  the  youngest  was 
so  beautiful  that  the  sun  itself,  which  has  seen  so  much, 
was  astonished  whenever  it  shone  in  her  face. 

Close  by  the  King's  castle  lay  a  great  dark  forest,  and  under 
an  old  lime-tree  in  the  forest,  was  a  fountain.  When  the  day 
was  very  warm,  the  King's  Child  went  out  into  the  forest  and 
sat  down  by  the  side  of  the  cool  fountain,  and  when  she  was 
dull  she  took  a  golden  ball,  and  threw  it  up  in  the  air  and 
caught  it.     And  this  ball  was  her  favorite  plaything. 

Now,  it  so  happened  one  day,  the  King's  Daughter's  golden 
ball  did  not  fall  into  the  little  hand  which  she  was  holding  up 
for  it,  but  on  to  the  ground,  and  rolled  straight  into  the  water. 
The  King's  Daughter  followed  it  with  her  eyes;  but  it  van- 
ished, and  the  well  was  deep,  so  deep  that  the  bottom  could  not 

[13] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

be  seen.  On  this  she  began  to  cry,  and  cried  louder  and  louder, 
and  could  not  be  comforted. 

And  as  she  thus  lamented,  some  one  said  to  her,  "  What  ails 
you,  King's  Daughter?  You  weep  so  that  even  a  stone  would 
show  pity." 

She  looked  round  to  the  side  from  whence  the  voice  came, 
and  saw  a  Frog  stretching  its  thick,  ugly  head  from  the  water. 
"  Ah!  old  water-splasher,  is  it  you?  "  said  she;  "  I  am  weeping 
for  my  golden  ball,  which  has  fallen  into  the  fountain." 

"  Be  quiet,  and  do  not  weep,"  answered  the  Frog,  "  I  can 
help  you.  But  what  will  you  give  me  if  I  bring  your  plaything 
up  again? " 

"  Whatever  you  will  have,  dear  Frog,"  said  she — "  my 
clothes,  my  pearls  and  jewels,  and  even  the  golden  crown  which 
I  am  wearing." 

The  Frog  answered,  "  I  do  not  care  for  your  clothes,  your 
pearls  and  jewels,  or  your  golden  crown,  but  if  you  will  love 
me  and  let  me  be  your  companion  and  playfellow,  and  sit  by 
you  at  your  little  table,  and  eat  off  your  little  golden  plate,  and 
drink  out  of  your  little  cup,  and  sleep  in  your  little  bed — if  you 
will  promise  me  this,  I  will  go  down  below,  and  bring  your 
golden  ball  up  again." 

"  Oh,  yes,"  said  she,  "  I  promise  you  all  you  wish,  if  you  will 
but  bring  my  ball  back  again."  She,  however,  thought,  "  How 
the  silly  Frog  does  talk !  He  lives  in  the  water  with  the  other 
frogs  and  croaks,  and  can  be  no  companion  to  any  human 
being! " 

But  the  Frog,  when  he  had  received  this  promise,  put  his 

head  into  the  water  and  sank  down.     In  a  short  time  he  came 

[14] 


THE  FROG-KING;  OR,  IRON  HENRY 

swimming  up  again  with  the  ball  in  his  mouth,  and  threw  it 
on  the  grass.  The  King's  Daughter  was  delighted  to  see  her 
pretty  plaything  once  more,  and  picked  it  up,  and  ran  away 
with  it. 

"  Wait,  wait,"  said  the  Frog.  "  Take  me  with  you.  I  can't 
run  as  you  can."  But  what  did  it  avail  him  to  scream  his 
croak,  croak,  after  her,  as  loudly  as  he  could?  She  did  not 
listen  to  it,  but  ran  home  and  soon  forgot  the  poor  Frog,  who 
was  forced  to  go  back  into  his  fountain  again. 

The  next  day,  when  she  had  seated  herself  at  table  with  the 
King  and  all  the  courtiers,  and  was  eating  from  her  little 
golden  plate,  something  came  creeping  splish  splash,  splish 
splash,  up  the  marble  staircase.  When  it  got  to  the  top,  it 
knocked  at  the  door,  and  cried : 

"King's  Daughter,  youngest, 
Open  the  door!" 

She  ran  to  see  who  was  outside,  but  when  she  opened  the 
door,  there  sat  the  Frog  in  front  of  it.  Then  she  slammed  the 
door  in  great  haste,  sat  down  to  dinner  again,  and  was  quite 
frightened. 

The  King  saw  plainly  that  her  heart  was  beating  violently, 
and  said,  "  My  Child,  what  are  you  so  afraid  of?  Is  there  a 
Giant  outside  who  wants  to  carry  you  away?  " 

"  Ah,  no,"  replied  she,  "  it  is  no  Giant,  but  a  disgusting 
Frog." 

"  What  does  the  Frog  want  with  you?  " 

"  Ah,  dear  Father,  yesterday  Avhen  I  was  in  the  forest  sit- 
ting by  the  fountain,  playing,  my  golden  ball  fell  into  the 

[  15  1 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

water.  And  because  I  cried  so,  the  Frog  brought  it  out  again 
for  me.  And  because  he  insisted  so  on  it,  I  promised  him  he 
should  be  my  companion ;  but  I  never  thought  he  would  be  able 
to  come  out  of  the  water!    And  now  he  is  here,  and  wants  to 


come  in." 


In  the  meantime,  it  knocked  a  second  time,  and  cried : 

"King's  Daughter,  youngest! 
Open  to  me! 
Don't  you  remember  yesterday, 
And  all  that  you  to  me  did  say, 
Beside  the  cooling  fountain's  spray? 
King's  Daughter,  youngest! 
Open  to  me!  " 

Then  said  the  King,  "  That  which  you  have  promised  you 
must  perform.     Go  and  let  him  in." 

She  went  and  opened  the  door,  and  the  Frog  hopped  in  and 
followed  her,  step  by  step,  to  her  chair.  There  he  sat  still  and 
cried,  "  Lift  me  up  beside  you." 

She  delayed,  until  at  last  the  King  commanded  her  to  do  it. 
When  the  Frog  was  once  on  the  chair,  he  wanted  to  be  on  the 
table,  and  when  he  was  on  the  table,  he  said,  "  Now,  push  your 
little  golden  plate  nearer  to  me  that  we  may  eat  together." 

She  did  this,  but  it  was  easy  to  see  that  she  did  not  do  it  will- 
ingly. The  Frog  enjoyed  what  he  ate,  but  almost  every 
mouthful  she  took,  choked  her. 

At  length  he  said,  "  I  have  eaten  and  am  satisfied.  Now  I 
am  tired,  carry  me  into  your  little  room  and  make  your  little 
silken  bed  ready;  and  we  will  both  lie  down  and  go  to  sleep." 

The  King's  Daughter  began  to  cry,  for  she  was  afraid  of  the 

[16] 


THE  FROG-KING;  OR,  IRON  HENRY 

cold  Frog,  which  she  did  not  like  to  touch,  and  which  was  now 
to  sleep  in  her  pretty,  clean  little  bed. 

But  the  King  grew  angry  and  said,  "  He  who  helped  you 
when  you  were  in  trouble,  ought  not  afterward  to  be  despised." 

So  she  took  hold  of  the  Frog  with  two  fingers,  carried  him 
upstairs,  and  put  him  in  a  corner.  But  when  she  was  in  bed,  he 
crept  to  her  and  said,  "  I  am  tired,  I  want  to  sleep  as  well  as 
you;  lift  me  up  or  I  will  tell  your  father." 

Then  she  was  terribly  angry,  and  took  him  up  and  threw 
him  with  all  her  might  against  the  wall. 

"  Now,  you  will  be  quiet,  odious  Frog,"  said  she. 

But  when  he  fell  down,  he  was  no  Frog  but  a  King's  Son 
with  beautiful  kind  eyes! 

He,  by  her  father's  will,  was  now  her  dear  companion  and 
husband.  Then  he  told  her  how  he  had  been  bewitched  by  a 
wicked  Witch,  and  how  no  one  could  have  delivered  him  from 
the  fountain  but  herself,  and  that  to-morrow  they  would  go 
together  into  his  kingdom. 

Then  they  went  to  sleep,  and  next  morning  when  the  sun 
awoke  them,  a  coach  came  rolling  up  drawn  by  eight  white 
horses,  with  white  ostrich  feathers  on  their  heads.  They  were 
harnessed  with  golden  chains,  and  behind  stood  the  young 
King's  servant,  Faithful  Henry.  Faithful  Henry  had  been 
so  unhappy  when  his  master  was  changed  into  a  Frog,  that  he 
had  three  iron  bands  laid  round  his  heart,  lest  it  should  burst 
with  grief  and  sadness. 

The  coach  was  to  conduct  the  young  King  into  his  kingdom. 
Faithful  Henry  helped  them  both  in,  and  placed  himself  be- 
hind again,  and  was  full  of  joy  because  of  this  deliverance. 

[  17  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

And  when  they  had  driven  a  part  of  the  way,  the  King's  Son 
heard  a  cracking  behind  him  as  if  something  had  broken.  So 
he  turned  round  and  cried: 

"Henry,  the  coach  does  break!  " 

"No,  no,  my  lord,  you  do  mistake! 
It  is  the  band  around  my  heart, 
That  felt  such  great  and  bitter  smart, 
When  you  were  in  the  fountain  strange, 
When  you  into  a  Frog  were  changed!  " 

Again  and  once  again,  while  they  were  on  their  way,  some- 
thing cracked;  and  each  time  the  King's  Son  thought  the  car- 
riage was  breaking.  But  it  was  only  the  bands  which  were 
springing  from  the  heart  of  Faithful  Henry  because  his  master 
was  set  free  and  was  happy. 


[18] 


THE  WOLF  AND  THE  SEVEN  LITTLE  KIDS 


THERE  was  once  on  a  time,  an  old  Goat  who  had  seven 
little  Kids,  and  loved  them  with  all  the  love  of  a  mother 
for  her  children. 

One  day,  she  wanted  to  go  into  the  forest  and  fetch  some 
food.  So  she  called  all  seven  to  her  and  said,  "  Dear  Children, 
I  have  to  go  into  the  forest.  Be  on  your  guard  against  the 
Wolf.  If  he  come  in,  he  will  devour  you  all — skin,  hair,  and 
all.  The  wretch  often  disguises  himself;  but  you  will  know 
him  at  once  by  his  rough  voice  and  his  black  feet." 

The  Kids  said,  "  Dear  Mother,  we  will  take  good  care  of 
ourselves.     You  may  go  away  without  any  anxiety." 

Then  the  old  one  bleated,  and  went  on  her  way  with  an  easy 
mind. 

It  was  not  long  before  some  one  knocked  at  the  house-door, 
and  cried,  "  Open  the  door,  dear  Children !  Your  mother  is 
here,  and  has  brought  something  back  with  her  for  each  of 

you." 

But  the  little  Kids  knew  that  it  was  the  Wolf,  by  his  rough 

voice.    "  We  will  not  open  the  door,"  cried  they;  "  you  are  not 

[19] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

our  mother.  She  has  a  soft,  pleasant  voice,  but  your  voice  is 
rough.     You  are  the  Wolf !  " 

Then  the  Wolf  went  away  to  a  shopkeeper,  and  bought  a 
great  lump  of  chalk,  ate  this  and  made  his  voice  soft  with  it. 
Then  he  came  back,  knocked  at  the  door  of  the  house,  and  cried, 
"  Open  the  door,  dear  Children!  Your  mother  is  here  and  has 
brought  something  back  with  her  for  each  of  you." 

But  the  Wolf  had  laid  his  black  paws  against  the  window, 
and  the  children  saw  them,  and  cried,  "  We  will  not  open  the 
door,  our  mother  has  not  black  feet  like  you.  You  are  the 
Wolf!" 

Then  the  Wolf  ran  to  a  baker,  and  said,  "  I  have  hurt  my 
feet,  rub  some  dough  over  them  for  me." 

And  when  the  baker  had  rubbed  his  feet  over,  he  ran  to  the 
miller  and  said,  "  Strew  some  white  meal  over  my  feet  for  me." 
The  miller  thought  to  himself,  "  The  Wolf  wants  to  deceive 
some  one,"  and  refused.  But  the  Wolf  said,  "  If  you  will  not 
do  it,  I  will  devour  you."  Then  the  miller  was  afraid,  and 
made  his  paws  white  for  him.    Yes !  so  are  men ! 

Now,  the  wretch  went  for  the  third  time  to  the  house-door, 
knocked  at  it,  and  said,  "  Open  the  door  for  me,  Children! 
Your  dear  little  mother  has  come  home,  and  has  brought  every 
one  of  you  something  from  the  forest  with  her." 

The  little  Kids  cried,  "  First  show  us  your  paws  that  we 
may  know  if  you  are  our  dear  little  mother." 

Then  he  put  his  paws  in  through  the  window.    And  when 

the  Kids  saw  that  they  were  white,  they  believed  all  that  he 

said,  and  opened  the  door.    But  who  should  come  in  but  the 

Wolf! 

[20] 


THE  LITTLE  KIDS  CRIED,      FIRST  SHOW  US  YOi'R    PAWS 


THE  WOLF  AND  THE  SEVEN  LITTLE  KIDS 

They  were  terrified  and  wanted  to  hide  themselves.  One 
sprang  under  the  table,  the  second  into  the  bed,  the  third  into 
the  stove,  the  fourth  into  the  kitchen,  the  fifth  into  the  cup- 
board, the  sixth  under  the  washing-bowl,  and  the  seventh  into 
the  clock-case.  But  the  Wolf  found  them  all  and  made  no  de- 
lay, but  swallowed  one  after  the  other  down  his  throat.  The 
youngest  in  the  clock-case  was  the  only  one  he  did  not  find. 

When  the  Wolf  had  satisfied  his  appetite,  he  took  himself 
off,  laid  himself  down  under  a  tree  in  the  green  meadow  out- 
side, and  began  to  sleep. 

Soon  afterward,  the  old  Goat  came  home  again  from  the 
forest.  Ah !  what  a  sight  she  saw  there !  The  house-door  stood 
wide  open.  The  table,  chairs,  and  benches  were  thrown  down, 
the  washing-bowl  lay  broken  to  pieces,  and  the  quilts  and  pil- 
lows were  pulled  off  the  bed. 

She  sought  her  children,  but  they  were  nowhere  to  be  found. 
She  called  them  one  after  another  by  name,  but  no  one  an- 
swered. At  last,  when  she  called  the  youngest,  a  soft  voice 
cried,  "  Dear  Mother,  I  am  in  the  clock-case." 

She  took  the  Kid  out,  and  it  told  her  that  the  Wolf  had 
come  and  had  eaten  all  the  others.  Then  you  may  imagine  how 
she  wept  over  her  poor  children ! 

At  length,  in  her  grief  she  went  out,  and  the  youngest  Kid 
ran  with  her.  When  they  came  to  the  meadow,  there  lay  the 
Wolf  by  the  tree  and  he  was  snoring  so  loud  that  the  branches 
shook.  She  looked  at  him  on  every  side  and  saw  that  some- 
thing was  moving  and  struggling  in  his  stomach.  "  Ah!  "  said 
she,  "  is  it  possible  that  my  poor  children,  whom  he  has  swal- 
lowed down  for  his  supper,  can  be  still  alive? " 

[21] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Then  the  Kid  had  to  run  home  and  fetch  scissors,  and  a 
needle  and  thread,  and  the  Goat  cut  open  the  monster's 
stomach.  Hardly  had  she  made  one  cut,  than  a  little  Kid 
thrust  its  head  out,  and  when  she  had  cut  farther,  all  six  sprang 
out  one  after  another,  and  were  all  still  alive,  and  had  suffered 
no  hurt  whatever,  for  in  his  greediness  the  monster  had  swal- 
lowed them  whole. 

What  rejoicing  there  was!  They  embraced  their  dear 
mother,  and  jumped  like  a  tailor  at  his  wedding.  The  mother, 
however,  said,  "  Now  go  and  look  for  some  big  stones.  We 
will  fill  the  wicked  beast's  stomach  with  them,  while  he  is 
asleep." 

Then  the  seven  Kids  dragged  the  stones  thither  with  all 
speed,  and  put  as  many  of  them  into  his  stomach  as  they  could 
get  in.  And  the  mother  sewed  him  up  again  in  the  greatest 
haste;  so  that  he  was  not  aware  of  anything  and  never  once 
stirred. 

When  the  Wolf  had  had  his  sleep  out,  he  got  on  his  legs, 
and  as  the  stones  in  his  stomach  made  him  very  thirsty,  he 
wanted  to  go  to  a  well  to  drink.  But  when  he  began  to  walk 
and  to  move  about,  the  stones  in  his  stomach  knocked  against 
each  other  and  rattled.    Then  cried  he: 

"What  rumbles  and  tumbles 
Against  my  poor  bones? 
I  thought  'twas  six  Kids, 
But  it's  only  big  stones!  " 

And  when  he  got  to  the  well  and  stooped  over  the  water  and 
was  just  about  to  drink,  the  heavy  stones  made  him  fall  in. 

There  was  no  help  for  it,  but  he  had  to  drown  miserably! 

[22] 


THE  WOLF  AND  THE  SEVEN  LITTLE  KIDS 

When  the  seven  Kids  saw  that,  they  came  running  to  the 
spot  and  cried  aloud,  "The  Wolf  is  dead!  The  Wolf  is 
dead!"  and  danced  for  joy  round  about  the  well  with  their 
mother. 


[23] 


"V1            V ' 

W^^^Sk. 

RAPUNZEL 

THERE  was  once  a  man  and  a  woman,  who  had  long  in 
vain  wished  for  a  child.  At  length,  the  woman  hoped 
that  God  was  about  to  grant  her  desire. 

These  people  had  a  little  window  at  the  back  of  their  house 
from  which  a  splendid  garden  could  be  seen.  It  was  full  of 
the  most  beautiful  flowers  and  herbs.  It  was,  however,  sur- 
rounded by  a  high  wall,  and  no  one  dared  to  go  into  it  because 
it  belonged  to  a  Witch,  who  had  great  power  and  was  dreaded 
by  all  the  world. 

One  day,  the  woman  was  standing  by  this  window  and  look- 
ing down  into  the  garden,  when  she  saw  a  bed  which  was 
planted  with  the  most  beautiful  rampion  (rapunzel),  and  it 
looked  so  fresh  and  green  that  she  longed  for  it,  and  had  the 
greatest  desire  to  eat  some. 

This  desire  increased  every  day,  and  as  she  knew  that  she 
could  not  get  any  of  it,  she  quite  pined  away,  and  looked  pale 
and  miserable. 

Then  her  husband  was  alarmed,  and  asked,  "  What  ails  you, 

dear  Wife? " 

[24] 


RAPUNZEL 

"  Ah,"  she  replied,  "  if  I  can't  get  some  of  the  rampion  to 
eat,  which  is  in  the  garden  behind  our  house,  I  shall  die." 

The  man,  who  loved  her,  thought,  "  Sooner  than  let  your 
wife  die,  bring  her  some  of  the  rampion  yourself,  let  it  cost  you 
what  it  will!" 

In  the  twilight  of  evening,  he  clambered  over  the  wall  into 
the  garden  of  the  Witch,  hastily  clutched  a  handful  of  ram- 
pion, and  took  it  to  his  wife.  She  at  once  made  herself  a  salad 
of  it,  and  ate  it  with  much  relish. 

She,  however,  liked  it  so  much — so  very  much — that  the  next 
day  she  longed  for  it  three  times  as  much  as  before.  If  he  was 
to  have  any  rest,  her  husband  must  once  more  descend  into  the 
garden.  In  the  gloom  of  evening,  therefore,  he  let  himself 
down  again.  But  when  he  had  clambered  down  the  wall  he  was 
terribly  afraid,  for  he  saw  the  Witch  standing  before  him. 

"  How  dare  you,"  said  she  with  angry  look,  "  descend  into 
my  garden  and  steal  my  rampion  like  a  thief?  You  shall  suf- 
fer for  it!" 

"Ah,"  answered  he,  "let  mercy  take  the  place  of  justice! 
I  had  to  do  it  out  of  necessity.  My  wife  saw  your  rampion 
from  the  window,  and  felt  such  a  longing  for  it  that  she  would 
have  died,  if  she  had  not  got  some  to  eat." 

Then  the  Witch  let  her  anger  be  softened,  and  said  to  him, 
"  If  the  case  be  as  you  say,  I  will  allow  you  to  take  away  with 
you  as  much  rampion  as  you  will,  only  I  make  one  condition, 
you  must  give  me  the  child  which  your  wife  will  bring  into  the 
world.  It  shall  be  well  treated,  and  I  will  care  for  it  like  a 
mother." 

The  man  in  his  terror  consented  to  everything,  and  when  the 

[25  1 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

woman  at  last  had  a  little  daughter,  the  Witch  appeared  at 
once,  gave  the  child  the  name  of  Rapunzel,  and  took  it  away 
with  her. 

Rapunzel  grew  into  the  most  beautiful  child  beneath  the 
sun.  When  she  was  twelve  years  old,  the  Witch  shut  her  into 
a  tower,  which  lay  in  a  forest,  and  had  neither  stairs  nor  door. 
But  quite  at  the  top  was  a  little  window.  When  the  Witch 
wanted  to  go  in,  she  placed  herself  beneath  this,  and  cried: 

"Rapunzel,  Rapunzel, 
Let  down  thy  hair." 

Rapunzel  had  magnificent  long  hair,  fine  as  spun  gold,  and 
when  she  heard  the  voice  of  the  Witch,  she  unfastened  her 
braided  tresses  and  wound  them  round  one  of  the  hooks  of  the 
window  above.  And  then  the  hair  fell  twenty  ells  down,  and 
the  Witch  climbed  up  by  it. 

After  a  year  or  two,  it  came  to  pass  that  the  King's  Son 
rode  through  the  forest  and  went  by  the  tower.  Then  he  heard 
a  song,  which  was  so  charming  that  he  stood  still  and  listened. 
This  was  Rapunzel,  who  in  her  solitude  passed  her  time  in  let- 
ting her  sweet  voice  resound. 

The  King's  Son  wanted  to  climb  up  to  her,  and  looked  for 
the  door  of  the  tower,  but  none  was  to  be  found.  He  rode 
home,  but  the  singing  had  so  deeply  touched  his  heart,  that 
every  day  he  went  out  into  the  forest  and  listened  to  it. 

Once  when  he  was  thus  standing  behind  a  tree,  he  saw  that 
a  Witch  came  there,  and  he  heard  how  she  cried: 

"Rapunzel,  Rapunzel, 
Let  down  thy  hair." 
[26]  ' 


RAPUNZEL 

Then  Rapunzel  let  down  the  braids  of  her  hair,  and  the  Witch 
climbed  up  to  her. 

"If  that  is  the  ladder  by  which  one  mounts,  I  will  for  once 
try  my  fortune,"  said  he. 

The  next  day  when  it  began  to  grow  dark,  he  went  to  the 
tower  and  cried: 

"Rapunzel,  Rapunzel, 
Let  down  thy  hair." 

Immediately  the  hair  fell  down,  and  the  King's  Son  climbed 
up. 

At  first  Rapunzel  was  terribly  frightened  when  a  man,  such 
as  her  eyes  had  never  yet  beheld,  came  to  her.  But  the  King's 
Son  began  to  talk  to  her  quite  like  a  friend,  and  told  her  that 
his  heart  had  been  so  stirred,  that  it  had  let  him  have  no  rest, 
so  he  had  been  forced  to  see  her. 

Then  Rapunzel  lost  her  fear,  and  when  he  asked  her  if  she 
would  take  him  for  her  husband,  and  she  saw  that  he  was  young 
and  handsome,  she  thought,  "  He  will  love  me  more  than  old 
Dame  Gothel  does ;  "  and  she  said  yes,  and  laid  her  hand  in  his. 

She  said  also,  "  I  will  willingly  go  away  with  you,  but  I  do 
not  know  how  to  get  down.  Bring  with  you  a  skein  of  silk 
every  time  that  you  come,  and  I  will  weave  a  ladder  with  it. 
When  that  is  ready  I  will  descend,  and  you  will  take  me  on 
your  horse." 

They  agreed  that  until  that  time,  he  should  come  to  her  every 
evening,  for  the  old  woman  came  by  day.  The  Witch  re- 
marked nothing  of  this,  until  once  Rapunzel  said  to  her,  "  Tell 

me,  Dame  Gothel,  how  it  happens  that  you  are  so  much  heavier 

[27] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

for  me  to  draw  up,  than  the  young  King's  Son — he  is  with  me 
in  a  moment." 

"  Ah!  you  wicked  Child!  "  cried  the  Witch.  "  What  do  I 
hear  you  say!  I  thought  I  had  separated  you  from  all  the 
world,  and  yet  you  have  deceived  me!  " 

In  her  anger  she  clutched  Rapunzel's  beautiful  tresses, 
wrapped  them  twice  round  her  left  hand,  seized  a  pair  of 
scissors  with  the  right,  and  snip,  snap,  they  were  cut  off,  and 
the  lovely  braids  lay  on  the  ground.  And  she  was  so  pitiless 
that  she  took  poor  Rapunzel  into  a  desert,  where  she  had  to 
live  in  great  grief  and  misery. 

On  the  same  day,  however,  that  she  cast  out  Rapunzel,  the 
Witch,  in  the  evening,  fastened  the  braids  of  hair  which  she 
had  cut  off,  to  the  hook  of  the  window;  and  when  the  King's 
Son  came  and  cried: 

"Rapunzel,  Rapunzel, 
Let  down  thy  hair," 

she  let  the  hair  down. 

The  King's  Son  ascended.  He  did  not  find  his  dearest 
Rapunzel  above,  but  the  Witch,  who  gazed  at  him  with  wicked 
and  venomous  looks. 

"  Aha!  "  she  cried  mockingly,  "  you  would  fetch  your  dear- 
est! But  the  beautiful  bird  sits  no  longer  singing  in  the  nest. 
The  cat  has  got  it,  and  will  scratch  out  your  eyes  as  well. 
Rapunzel  is  lost  to  you !    You  will  never  see  her  more ! ': 

The  King's  Son  was  beside  himself  with  grief  and  in  his 

despair  he  leapt  down  from  the  tower.     He  escaped  with  his 

life,  but  the  thorns  into  which  he  fell,  pierced  his  eyes.    Then  he 

[28] 


RAPUNZEL 

wandered  quite  blind  about  the  forest,  ate  nothing  but  roots 
and  berries,  and  did  nothing  but  lament  and  weep  over  the  loss 
of  his  dearest  wife. 

Thus  he  roamed  about  in  misery  for  some  years,  and  at 
length  came  to  the  desert  where  Rapunzel  lived  in  wretched- 
ness. He  heard  a  voice,  and  it  seemed  so  familiar  to  him  that 
he  went  toward  it.  When  he  approached,  Rapunzel  knew  him, 
and  fell  on  his  neck  and  wept.  Two  of  her  tears  wetted  his 
eyes  and  they  grew  clear  again,  and  he  could  see  with  them  as 
before. 

He  led  her  to  his  Kingdom  where  he  was  joyfully  received, 
and  they  lived  for  a  long  time,  happy  and  contented. 


[29] 


LITTLE  BROTHER  AND  LITTLE  SISTER 


LITTLE  brother  took  his  little  sister  by  the  hand  and 
said,  "  Since  our  mother  died,  we  have  had  no  happi- 
ness; our  stepmother  beats  us  every  day,  and  if  we 
come  near  her,  she  kicks  us  away  with  her  foot.  Our  meals  are 
the  hard  crusts  of  bread  that  are  left  over.  The  little  dog  un- 
der the  table  is  better  off,  for  she  often  throws  it  a  nice  bit. 
May  Heaven  pity  us!  If  our  mother  only  knew!  Come,  we 
will  go  forth  together  into  the  wide  world." 

They  walked  the  whole  day  over  meadows,  fields,  and  stony 
places ;  and  when  it  rained  the  little  sister  said,  "  Heaven  and 
our  hearts  are  weeping  together." 

In  the  evening  they  came  to  a  large  forest,  and  they  were  so 
weary  with  sorrow  and  hunger  and  the  long  walk,  that  they 
lay  down  in  a  hollow  tree  and  fell  asleep. 

The  next  day  when  they  awoke,  the  sun  was  already  high 

and  shone  down  hot  into  the  tree.    Then  the  little  brother  said, 

"Little  Sister,  I  am  thirsty.     If  I  knew  of  a  little  brook  I 

would  go  and  take  a  drink.    I  think  I  hear  one  running."    The 

[30] 


LITTLE  BROTHER  AND  LITTLE  SISTER 

little  brother  got  up  and  took  the  little  sister  by  the  hand,  and 
they  set  off  to  find  the  brook. 

But  the  wicked  stepmother  was  a  Witeh,  and  had  seen  how 
the  two  children  had  gone  away.  She  had  crept  after  them,  as 
Witches  do  creep,  and  had  bewitched  all  the  brooks  in  the 
forest. 

Now,  when  they  found  a  little  brook  leaping  brightly  over 
the  stones,  the  little  brother  was  going  to  drink  out  of  it,  but 
the  little  sister  heard  how  it  said  as  it  ran : 

"Who  drinks  of  me,  a  Tiger  be! 
Who  drinks  of  me,  a  Tiger  be!" 

Then  the  little  sister  cried,  "  Pray,  dear  little  Brother,  do  not 
drink,  or  you  will  become  a  wild  beast,  and  tear  me  to  pieces." 

The  little  brother  did  not  drink,  although  he  was  so  thirsty, 
but  said,  "  I  will  wait  for  the  next  spring." 

When  they  came  to  the  next  brook,  the  little  sister  heard 

this  say: 

"Who  drinks  of  me,  a  wild  Wolf  be! 
Who  drinks  of  me,  a  wild  Wolf  be!" 

Then  the  little  sister  cried  out,  "  Pray,  dear  little  Brother,  do 
not  drink,  or  you  will  become  a  Wolf,  and  devour  me." 

The  little  brother  did  not  drink,  and  said,  "I  will  wait  until 
we  come  to  the  next  spring,  but  then  I  must  drink,  say  what 
you  like;  for  my  thirst  is  too  great." 

And  when  they  came  to  the  third  brook,  the  little  sister  heard 
how  it  said  as  it  ran : 

"Who  drinks  of  me,  a  Roebuck  be! 
Who  drinks  of  me,  a  Roebuck  be!" 
[31] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

The  little  sister  said,  "  Oh,  I  pray  you,  dear  little  Brother,  do 
not  drink,  or  you  will  become  a  Roe,  and  run  away  from  me." 

But  the  little  brother  had  knelt  by  the  brook,  and  had  bent 
down  and  drunk  some  of  the  water.  And  as  soon  as  the  first 
drops  touched  his  lips,  he  lay  there  a  young  Roe. 

And  now  the  little  sister  wept  over  her  poor  bewitched 
little  brother,  and  the  little  Roe  wept  also,  and  sat  sorrowfully 
near  to  her.  But  at  last  the  girl  said,  "  Be  quiet,  dear  little 
Roe,  I  will  never,  never  leave  you." 

Then  she  untied  her  golden  garter  and  put  it  round  the  Roe's 
neck,  and  she  plucked  rushes  and  wove  them  into  a  soft  cord. 
With  this  she  tied  the  little  animal  and  led  it  on;  and  she 
walked  deeper  and  deeper  into  the  forest. 

And  when  they  had  gone  a  very  long  way,  they  came  to  a 
little  house.  The  girl  looked  in;  and  as  it  was  empty,  she 
thought,  "  We  can  stay  here  and  live." 

Then  she  sought  for  leaves  and  moss  to  make  a  soft  bed  for 
the  Roe.  Every  morning  she  went  out  and  gathered  roots  and 
berries  and  nuts  for  herself,  and  brought  tender  grass  for  the 
Roe,  who  ate  out  of  her  hand,  and  was  content  and  played 
round  about  her.  In  the  evening,  when  the  little  sister  was 
tired,  and  had  said  her  prayer,  she  laid  her  head  upon  the  Roe's 
back:  that  was  her  pillow,  and  she  slept  softly  on  it.  And  if 
only  the  little  brother  had  had  his  human  form,  it  would  have 
been  a  delightful  life. 

For  some  time,  they  were  alone  like  this  in  the  wilderness. 

But  it  happened  that  the  King  of  the  country  held  a  great  hunt 

in  the  forest.     Then  the  blasts  of  the  horns,  the  barking  of 

dogs,  and  the  merry  shouts  of  the  huntsmen  rang  through  the 

[32] 


LITTLE  BROTHER  AND  LITTLE  SISTER 

trees,  and  the  Roe  heard  all,  and  was  only  too  anxious  to  be 
there. 

"  Oh,"  said  he  to  his  little  sister,  "  let  me  be  off  to  the  hunt, 
I  cannot  bear  it  any  longer; "  and  he  begged  so  much  that  at 
last  she  agreed. 

"  But,"  said  she  to  him,  "  come  back  to  me  in  the  evening. 
I  must  shut  my  door  for  fear  of  the  rough  huntsmen,  so  knock 
and  say,  '  My  little  Sister,  let  me  in ! '  that  I  may  know  you. 
And  if  you  do  not  say  that,  I  shall  not  open  the  door." 

Then  the  young  Roe  sprang  away ;  so  happy  was  he  and  so 
merry  in  the  open  air. 

The  King  and  the  huntsmen  saw  the  pretty  creature,  and 
started  after  him.  But  they  could  not  catch  him,  and  when 
they  thought  that  they  surely  had  him,  away  he  sprang  through 
the  bushes  and  was  gone. 

When  it  was  dark  he  ran  to  the  cottage,  knocked,  and  said, 
"  My  little  Sister,  let  me  in."  Then  the  door  was  opened  for 
him,  and  he  jumped  in,  and  rested  himself  the  whole  night 
through  upon  his  soft  bed. 

The  next  day,  the  hunt  went  on  afresh,  and  when  the  Roe 
again  heard  the  bugle-horn,  and  the  ho!  ho!  of  the  hunts- 
men, he  had  no  peace,  but  said,  "  Sister,  let  me  out,  I  must  be 
off." 

His  sister  opened  the  door  for  him,  and  said,  "  But  you  must 
be  here  again  in  the  evening  and  say  your  password." 

When  the  King  and  his  huntsmen  again  saw  the  young  Roe 

with  the  golden  collar,  they  all  chased  him,  but  he  was  too 

quick  and  nimble  for  them.    This  went  on  for  the  whole  day, 

but  by  evening  the  huntsmen  had  surrounded  him,  and  one  of 

[33] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

them  wounded  him  a  little  in  the  foot,  so  that  he  limped  and 
ran  slowly.  Then  a  hunter  crept  after  him  to  the  cottage  and 
heard  how  he  said,  "  My  little  Sister,  let  me  in,"  and  saw  that 
the  door  was  opened  for  him,  and  was  shut  again  at  once. 

The  huntsman  took  notice  of  it  all,  and  went  to  the  King 
and  told  him  what  he  had  seen  and  heard.  Then  the  King  said, 
"  To-morrow  we  will  hunt  once  more." 

The  little  sister,  however,  was  dreadfully  frightened  when 
she  saw  that  her  little  Roe  was  hurt.  She  washed  the  blood  off 
him,  laid  herbs  on  the  wound,  and  said,  "  Go  to  your  bed,  dear 
Roe,  that  you  may  get  well  again." 

But  the  wound  was  so  slight  that  the  Roe,  next  morning, 
did  not  feel  it  any  more.  And  when  he  again  heard  the  sport 
outside,  he  said,  "  I  cannot  bear  it,  I  must  be  there.  They 
shall  not  find  it  so  easy  to  catch  me !  " 

The  little  sister  cried,  and  said,  "  This  time  they  will  kill 
you,  and  here  am  I  alone  in  the  forest,  and  forsaken  by  all  the 
world.    I  will  not  let  you  out." 

"  Then  you  will  have  me  die  of  grief,"  answered  the  Roe. 
"  When  I  hear  the  bugle-horns  I  feel  as  if  I  must  jump  out  of 
my  skin." 

Then  the  little  sister  could  not  do  otherwise,  but  opened  the 
door  for  him  with  a  heavy  heart,  and  the  Roe,  full  of  health  and 
joy,  bounded  away  into  the  forest. 

When  the  King  saw  him,  he  said  to  his  huntsman,  "  Now 
chase  him  all  day  long  till  nightfall,  but  take  care  that  no  one 
does  him  any  harm." 

As  soon  as  the  sun  had  set,  the  King  said  to  the  huntsmen, 

"  Now  come  and  show  me  the  cottage  in  the  wood;  "  and  when 

[34] 


t- 


THE  KING  SAID,       WILL  YOU  BE   MY  DEAR  WIFE?" 


LITTLE  BROTHER  AND  LITTLE  SISTER 

he  was  at  the  door,  he  knocked  and  called  out,  "  Dear  little 
Sister,  let  me  in." 

Then  the  door  opened,  and  the  King  walked  in,  and  there 
stood  a  maiden  more  lovely  than  any  he  had  ever  seen.  The 
maiden  was  frightened  when  she  saw,  not  her  little  Roe,  but  a 
man  with  a  golden  crown  upon  his  head.  But  the  King  looked 
kindly  at  her,  stretched  out  his  hand,  and  said: 

"  Will  you  go  with  me  to  my  palace  and  be  my  dear  wife? " 

"  Yes,  indeed,"  answered  the  maiden,  "  but  the  little  Roe 
must  go  with  me.    I  cannot  leave  him." 

The  King  said,  "  He  shall  stay  with  you  as  long  as  you  live, 
and  shall  want  nothing." 

Just  then  he  came  running  in,  and  the  little  sister  again  tied 
him  with  the  cord  of  rushes,  took  it  in  her  own  hand,  and 
went  away  with  the  King  from  the  cottage. 

The  King  took  the  lovely  maiden  upon  his  horse  and  carried 
her  to  his  palace,  where  the  wedding  was  held  with  great  pomp. 
She  was  now  the  Queen,  and  they  lived  for  a  long  time  happily 
together.  The  Roe  was  tended  and  cherished,  and  ran  about 
in  the  palace-garden. 

But  the  wicked  Witch,  because  of  whom  the  children  had 
gone  out  into  the  world,  thought  all  the  time  that  the  little 
sister  had  been  torn  to  pieces  by  the  wild  beasts  in  the  wood, 
and  that  the  little  brother  had  been  shot  for  a  Roe  by  the  hunts- 
men. Now  when  she  heard  that  they  were  so  happy,  and  so 
well  off,  envy  and  hatred  rose  in  her  heart  and  left  her  no  peace, 
and  she  thought  of  nothing  but  how  she  could  bring  them  again 
to  misfortune. 

Her  own  daughter,  who  was  as  ugly  as  night,  and  had  only 

[35] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

one  eye,  grumbled  at  her  and  said,  "  A  Queen!  that  ought  to 
have  been  my  luck." 

"  Only  be  quiet,"  answered  the  old  woman,  and  comforted 
her  by  saying,  "  when  the  time  comes  I  shall  be  ready." 

As  time  went  on,  the  Queen  had  a  pretty  little  boy.  It  hap- 
pened that  the  King  was  out  hunting;  so  the  old  Witch  took 
the  form  of  the  chambermaid,  went  into  the  room  where  the 
Queen  lay,  and  said  to  her,  "  Come,  the  bath  is  ready.  It  will 
do  you  good,  and  give  you  fresh  strength.  Make  haste  before 
it  gets  cold." 

The  daughter  also  was  close  by;  so  they  carried  the  weak 
Queen  into  the  bathroom,  and  put  her  into  the  bath.  Then 
they  shut  the  door  and  ran  away.  But  in  the  bathroom  they 
had  made  a  fire  of  such  deadly  heat,  that  the  beautiful  young 
Queen  was  soon  suffocated. 

When  this  was  done,  the  old  woman  took  her  daughter,  put 
a  nightcap  on  her  head,  and  laid  her  in  bed  in  place  of  the 
Queen.  She  gave  her  too  the  shape  and  the  look  of  the  Queen, 
only  she  could  not  make  good  the  lost  eye.  But,  in  order  that 
the  King  might  not  see  it,  she  was  to  lie  on  the  side  on  which 
she  had  no  eye. 

In  the  evening,  when  he  came  home  and  heard  that  he  had 
a  son,  he  was  heartily  glad,  and  was  going  to  the  bed  of  his 
dear  wife  to  see  how  she  was.  But  the  old  woman  quickly 
called  out,  "  For  your  life  leave  the  curtains  closed.  The 
Queen  ought  not  to  see  the  light  yet,  and  must  have  rest." 

The  King  went  away,  and  did  not  find  out  that  a  false  Queen 

was  lying  in  the  bed. 

But  at  midnight,  when  all  slept,  the  nurse,  who  was  sitting 

[36] 


LITTLE  BROTHER  AND  LITTLE  SISTER 

in  the  nursery  by  the  cradle,  and  who  was  the  only  person 
awake,  saw  the  door  open  and  the  true  Queen  walk  in.  She 
took  the  child  out  of  the  cradle,  laid  it  on  her  arm  and  nursed 
it.  Then  she  shook  up  its  pillow,  laid  the  child  down  again, 
and  covered  it  with  the  little  quilt.  And  she  did  not  forget  the 
Roe,  but  went  into  the  corner  where  he  lay,  and  stroked  his 
back.    Then  she  went  quite  silently  out  of  the  door  again. 

The  next  morning,  the  nurse  asked  the  guards  whether  any 
one  had  come  into  the  palace  during  the  night,  but  they  an- 
swered, "  No,  we  have  seen  no  one." 

She  came  thus  many  nights  and  never  spoke  a  word.  The 
nurse  always  saw  her,  but  she  did  not  dare  to  tell  any  one  about 
it. 

When  some  time  had  passed  in  this  manner,  the  Queen  be- 
gan to  speak  in  the  night,  and  said  : 

"How  fares  my  child,  how  fares  my  Roe? 
Twice  shall  I  come,  then  never  moel  " 

The  nurse  did  not  answer,  but  when  the  Queen  had  gone 
again,  went  to  the  King  and  told  him  all. 

The  King  said,  "Ah,  heavens!  what  is  this?  To-morrow 
night  I  will  watch  by  the  child." 

In  the  evening  he  went  into  the  nursery,  and  at  midnight  the 
Queen  again  appeared,  and  said  : 

"How  fares  my  child,  how  fares  my  Roe? 
Once  shall  I  come,  then  never  moe!" 

And  she  nursed  the  child  as  she  was  wont  to  do  before  she 

disappeared.     The  King  dared  not  speak  to  her,  but  on  the 

next  night  he  watched  again.    Then  she  said: 

[37] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"How  fares  my  child,  how  fares  my  Roe? 
This  time  I  come,  then  never  moel  " 

At  that  the  King  could  not  restrain  himself.  He  sprang  to- 
ward her,  and  said,  "  You  can  be  none  other  than  my  dear 
wife." 

She  answered,  "  Yes,  I  am  your  dear  wife,"  and  at  the  same 
moment  she  received  life  again,  and  by  God's  grace  became 
fresh,  rosy,  and  full  of  health. 

Then  she  told  the  King  the  evil  deed  which  the  wicked  Witch 
and  her  daughter  had  been  guilty  of  toward  her.  The  King 
ordered  both  to  be  led  before  the  judge,  and  judgment  was 
delivered  against  them.  The  daughter  was  taken  into  the 
forest  where  she  was  torn  to  pieces  by  wild  beasts,  but  the 
Witch  was  cast  into  the  fire  and  miserably  burnt. 

And  as  soon  as  she  was  burnt  the  Roe  changed  his  shape,  and 
received  his  human  form  again.  So  the  little  sister  and  little 
brother  lived  happily  together  all  their  lives. 


[38] 


THE  STAR-MONEY 


THERE  was  once  on  a  time,  a  little  girl  whose  father 
and  mother  were  dead.  She  was  so  poor  that  she  no 
longer  had  any  little  room  to  live  in,  or  bed  to  sleep  in. 
At  last,  she  had  nothing  else  but  the  clothes  she  was  wearing 
and  a  little  bit  of  bread  in  her  hand  which  some  charitable  soul 
had  given  her.     She  was,  however,  good  and  pious. 

And  as  she  was  thus  forsaken  by  all  the  world,  she  went  forth 
into  the  open  country,  trusting  in  the  good  God. 

Then  a  poor  man  met  her,  who  said,  "Ah,  give  me  something 
to  eat,  I  am  so  hungry !  " 

She  reached  him  the  whole  of  her  piece  of  bread,  and  said, 
"  May  God  bless  it  to  your  use,"  and  went  onward. 

Then  came  a  child  who  moaned  and  said,  "  My  head  is  so 
cold,  give  me  something  to  cover  it  with." 

So  she  took  off  her  hood  and  gave  it  to  him. 

And  when  she  had  walked  a  little  farther,  she  met  another 

child  who  had  no  jacket  and  was  frozen  with  cold.     Then  she 

gave  it  her  own. 

[39  1 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

A  little  farther  on  one  begged  for  a  frock,  and  she  gave  away 
that  also. 

At  length,  she  got  into  a  forest  and  it  had  already  become 
dark,  and  there  came  yet  another  child,  and  asked  for  a  little 
shirt.  The  good  little  girl  thought  to  herself,  "  It  is  a  dark 
night  and  no  one  sees  me.  I  can  very  well  give  my  little  shirt 
away,"  and  took  it  off,  and  gave  away  that  also. 

And  she  so  stood,  and  had  not  one  single  thing  left.  Then 
suddenly  some  Stars  from  heaven  fell  down,  and  they  were 
nothing  else  but  hard  smooth  pieces  of  money !  And  although 
she  had  just  given  her  little  shirt  away,  lo!  she  had  a  new  one 
which  was  of  the  very  finest  linen. 

Then  she  gathered  together  the  money  into  this,  and  was 
rich  all  the  days  of  her  life. 


[40] 


THE  FISHERMAN  AND  HIS  WIFE 


THERE  was  once  on  a  time,  a  Fisherman  who  lived 
with  his  wife  in  a  miserable  hovel  close  by  the  sea,  and 
every  day  he  went  out  fishing.  And  once,  as  he  was 
sitting  with  his  rod,  looking  at  the  clear  water,  his  line  sud- 
denly went  down,  far  down  below,  and  when  he  drew  it  up 
again,  he  brought  out  a  large  Flounder. 

Then  the  Flounder  said  to  him:  "  Hark,  you  Fisherman,  I 
pray  you,  let  me  live.  I  am  no  Flounder  really,  but  an  en- 
chanted Prince.  What  good  will  it  do  you  to  kill  me?  I 
should  not  be  good  to  eat.  Put  me  in  the  water  again,  and  let 
me  go." 

"  Come,"  said  the  Fisherman,  "  there  is  no  need  for  so  many 
words  about  it — a  fish  that  can  talk  I  should  certainly  let  go, 
anyhow." 

With  that  he  put  him  back  again  into  the  clear  water,  and 

the  Flounder  went  to  the  bottom,  leaving  a  long  streak  of  blood 

behind  him.    Then  the  Fisherman  got  up  and  went  home  to  his 

wife  in  the  hovel. 

[41] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"  Husband,"  said  the  woman,  "  have  you  caught  nothing 
to-day?" 

"  No,"  said  the  man,  "  I  did  catch  a  Flounder,  who  said  he 
was  an  enchanted  Prince,  so  I  let  him  go  again." 

"  Did  you  not  wish  for  anything  first?  "  said  the  woman. 

"  No,"  said  the  man;  "  what  should  I  wish  for?  " 

"  All,"  said  the  woman,  "  it  is  surely  hard  to  have  to  live 
always  in  this  dirty  hovel.  You  might  have  wished  for  a  small 
cottage  for  us.  Go  back  and  call  him.  Tell  him  we  want  to 
have  a  small  cottage.    He  will  certainly  give  us  that." 

"  Ah,"  said  the  man,  "  why  should  I  go  there  again?  " 

"  Why,"  said  the  woman,  "  you  did  catch  him,  and  you  let 
him  go  again.    He  is  sure  to  do  it.    Go  at  once." 

The  man  still  did  not  quite  like  to  go,  but  did  not  want  to 
oppose  his  wife,  and  went  to  the  sea. 

When  he  got  there  the  sea  was  all  green  and  yellow,  and  no 
longer  smooth.    So  he  stood  and  said: 

"Flounder,  Flounder  in  the  sea, 
Come,  I  pray  thee,  here  to  me; 
For  my  wife,  Dame  Ilsabil, 
Wills  not  as  I'd  have  her  will.'* 

Then  the  Flounder  came  swimming  to  him  and  said,  "  Well, 
what  does  she  want,  then? " 

"  Ah,"  said  the  man,  "  I  did  catch  you,  and  my  wife  says 
I  really  ought  to  have  wished  for  something.  She  does  not 
like  to  live  in  a  wretched  hovel  any  longer.  She  would  like  to 
have  a  cottage." 

"  Go,  then,"  said  the  Flounder,  "  she  has  it  already." 

[42] 


THE  FISHERMAN  AND  HIS  WIFE 

When  the  man  got  home,  his  wife  was  no  longer  in  the  hovel. 
But  instead  of  it,  there  stood  a  small  eottage,  and  she  was  sit- 
ting on  a  bench  before  the  door.  Then  she  took  him  by  the 
hand  and  said  to  him,  "  Just  come  inside,  look.  Now  isn't  this 
a  great  deal  better?  " 

So  they  went  in,  and  there  was  a  small  porch,  and  a  pretty 
little  parlor  and  bedroom,  and  a  kitchen  and  pantry,  with  the 
best  of  furniture,  and  fitted  up  with  the  most  beautiful  things 
made  of  tin  and  brass,  whatsoever  was  wanted.  And  behind 
the  cottage,  there  was  a  small  yard,  with  hens  and  ducks,  and 
a  little  garden  with  flowers  and  fruit. 

"  Look,"  said  the  wife,  "  is  not  that  nice! " 

"  Yes,"  said  the  husband,  "  and  so  we  must  always  think 
it, — now  we  will  live  quite  contented." 

"  We  will  think  about  that,"  said  the  wife. 

With  that  they  ate  something  and  went  to  bed. 

Everything  went  well  for  a  week  or  a  fortnight,  and  then 
the  woman  said,  "  Hark  you,  Husband,  this  cottage  is  far  too 
small  for  us,  and  the  garden  and  yard  are  little.  The  Flounder 
might  just  as  well  have  given  us  a  larger  house.  I  should  like 
to  live  in  a  great  stone  castle.  Go  to  the  Flounder,  and  tell 
him  to  give  us  a  castle." 

"  Ah,  Wife,"  said  the  man,  "  the  cottage  is  quite  good 
enough.    Why  should  we  live  in  a  castle?  " 

"  What! "  said  the  woman;  "  go  at  once,  the  Flounder  can 
always  do  that." 

"  No,  Wife,"  said  the  man,  "  the  Flounder  has  just  given 
us  the  cottage.    I  do  not  like  to  go  back  so  soon,  it  might  make 

him  angry." 

[43] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"  Go,"  said  the  woman,  "  he  can  do  it  quite  easily,  and  will 
be  glad  to  do  it.    Just  you  go  to  him." 

The  man's  heart  grew  heavy,  and  he  did  not  wish  to  go.  He 
said  to  himself,  "  It  is  not  right,"  and  yet  he  went. 

And  when  he  came  to  the  sea,  the  water  was  quite  purple 
and  dark-blue,  and  gray  and  thick,  and  no  longer  green  and 
yellow,  but  it  was  still  quiet.    And  he  stood  there  and  said: 

"Flounder,  Flounder  in  the  sea, 
Come,  I  pray  thee,  here  to  me; 
For  my  wife,  Dame  Ilsabil, 
Wills  not  as  I'd  have  her  will." 

"  Well,  what  does  she  want,  now?  "  said  the  Flounder. 

"  Alas,"  said  the  man,  half  scared,  "  she  wants  to  live  in  a 
great  stone  castle." 

"  Go  to  it,  then,  she  is  standing  before  the  door,"  said  the 
Flounder. 

Then  the  man  went  home,  and  when  he  got  there,  he  found 
a  great  stone  palace,  and  his  wife  was  just  standing  on  the 
steps  going  in.  She  took  him  by  the  hand  and  said,  "  Come 
in." 

So  he  went  with  her,  and  in  the  castle  was  a  great  hall  paved 
with  marble,  and  many  servants,  who  flung  wide  the  doors. 
The  walls  were  all  bright  with  beautiful  hangings,  and  in  the 
rooms  were  chairs  and  tables  of  pure  gold.  Crystal  chande- 
liers hung  from  the  ceiling,  and  all  the  rooms  and  bedrooms 
had  carpets.  Food  and  wine  of  the  very  best  were  standing  on 
all  the  tables,  so  that  they  nearly  broke  down  beneath  it. 

Behind  the  house,  too ,  there  was  a  great  courtyard,  with 

[44] 


THE  FISHERMAN  AND  HIS  WIFE 

stables  for  horses  and  cows,  and  the  very  best  of  carriages. 
There  was  a  magnificent  large  garden,  too,  with  the  most  beau- 
tiful flowers  and  fruit-trees,  and  a  park  quite  half  a  mile  long, 
in  which  were  stags,  deer,  and  hares,  and  everything  that  could 
be  desired. 

"  Come,"  said  the  woman,  "  isn't  that  beautiful?" 

"  Yes,  indeed,"  said  the  man,  "  now  let  it  be;  and  we  will 
live  in  this  beautiful  castle  and  be  content." 

"  We  will  consider  about  that,"  said  the  woman,  "  and  sleep 
upon  it;  "  thereupon  they  went  to  bed. 

Next  morning,  the  wife  awoke  first.  It  was  just  daybreak, 
and  from  her  bed  she  saw  the  beautiful  country  lying  before 
her.  Her  husband  was  still  stretching  himself,  so  she  poked 
him  in  the  side  with  her  elbow,  and  said,  "  Get  up,  Husband, 
and  just  peep  out  of  the  window.  Look  you,  couldn't  we  be 
the  King  over  all  that  land?  Go  to  the  Flounder,  we  will  be 
the  King." 

"  Ah,  Wife,"  said  the  man,  "  why  should  we  be  King?  I 
do  not  want  to  be  King." 

"  Well,"  said  the  wife,  "  if  you  won't  be  King,  I  will.  Go 
to  the  Flounder,  for  I  will  be  King." 

"  Ah,  Wife,"  said  the  man,  "  why  do  you  want  to  be  King? 
I  do  not  like  to  say  that  to  him." 

"  Why  not?  "  said  the  woman;  "  go  to  him  at  once.  I  must 
be  King!  " 

So  the  man  went,  and  was  quite  unhappy  because  his  wife 

wished  to  be  King.    "  It  is  not  right;  it  is  not  right,"  thought 

he.    He  did  not  wish  to  go,  but  yet  he  went. 

And  when  he  came  to  the  sea,  it  was  quite  dark-gray,  and  the 

[45] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

water  heaved  up  from  below,  and  smelt  putrid.    Then  he  went 
and  stood  by  it,  and  said: 


<< 


Flounder,  Flounder  in  the  sea, 
Come,  I  pray  thee,  here  to  me; 
For  my  wife,  Dame  Ilsabil, 
Wills  not  as  I'd  have  her  will." 


"  Well,  what  does  she  want,  now?  "  said  the  Flounder. 

"  Alas,"  said  the  man,  "  she  wants  to  be  King." 

"  Go  to  her;  she  is  King  already." 

So  the  man  went,  and  when  he  came  to  the  palace,  the  castle 
had  become  much  larger,  and  had  a  great  tower  and  magnifi- 
cent ornaments.  The  sentinel  was  standing  before  the  door, 
and  there  were  numbers  of  soldiers  with  kettledrums  and 
trumpets.  And  when  he  went  inside  the  house,  everything  was 
of  real  marble  and  gold,  with  velvet  covers  and  great  golden 
tassels.  Then  the  doors  of  the  hall  were  opened,  and  there  was 
the  Court  in  all  its  splendor,  and  his  wife  was  sitting  on  a  high 
throne  of  gold  and  diamonds,  with  a  great  crown  of  gold  on  her 
head,  and  a  sceptre  of  pure  gold  and  jewels  in  her  hand.  On 
both  sides  of  her,  stood  her  maids-in-waiting  in  a  row,  each 
of  them  always  one  head  shorter  than  the  last. 

Then  he  went  and  stood  before  her,  and  said,  "  Ah,  Wife, 
and  now  you  are  King." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  woman,  "  now  I  am  King." 

So  he  stood  and  looked  at  her,  and  when  he  had  looked  at 

her  thus  for  some  time,  he  said,  "  And  now  that  you  are  King, 

let  all  else  be,  we  will  wish  for  nothing  more." 

"  Nay,  Husband,"  said  the  woman,  quite  anxiously,  "  I  find 

[461 


THE  FISHERMAN  AND  HIS  WIFE 

time  pass  very  heavily,  I  ean  bear  it  no  longer.  Go  to  the 
Flounder — I  am  King,  but  I  must  be  Emperor,  too." 

"  Alas,  Wife,  why  do  you  wish  to  be  Emperor?  " 

"  Husband,"  said  she,  "  go  to  the  Flounder.  I  will  be  Em- 
peror." 

"Alas,  Wife,"  said  the  man,  "  he  cannot  make  you  Emperor. 
I  may  not  say  that  to  the  fish.  There  is  only  one  Emperor  in 
the  land.  An  Emperor,  the  Flounder  cannot  make  you!  I 
assure  you  he  cannot." 

"What!"  said  the  woman,  "I  am  the  King,  and  you  are 
nothing  but  my  husband.  Will  you  go  this  moment?  go  at 
once!  If  he  can  make  a  King,  he  can  make  an  Emperor.  I 
will  be  Emperor.    Go  instantly." 

So  he  was  forced  to  go.  As  the  man  went,  however,  he  was 
troubled  in  mind,  and  thought  to  himself,  "  It  will  not  end 
well!  It  will  not  end  well!  Emperor  is  too  shameless!  The 
Flounder  will  at  last  be  tired  out." 

With  that,  he  reached  the  sea,  and  the  sea  was  quite  black 
and  thick,  and  began  to  boil  up  from  below,  so  that  it  threw 
up  bubbles.  And  such  a  sharp  wind  blew  over  it  that  it 
curdled,  and  the  man  was  afraid.  Then  he  went  and  stood  by 
it,  and  said : 

"Flounder,  Flounder  in  the  sea, 
Come,  I  pray  thee,  here  to  me; 
For  my  wife,  Dame  Ilsabil, 
Wills  not  as  I'd  have  her  will." 

"  Well,  what  does  she  want,  now?  "  said  the  Flounder. 

"  Alas,  Flounder,"  said  he,  "  my  wife  wants  to  be  Emperor." 

"  Go  to  her,"  said  the  Flounder;  "  she  is  Emperor  already." 

[47] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

So  the  man  went,  and  when  he  got  there  the  whole  palace 
was  made  of  polished  marble  with  alabaster  figures  and  golden 
ornaments.  And  soldiers  were  marching  before  the  door  blow- 
ing trumpets,  and  beating  cymbals  and  drums.  In  the  house, 
barons,  and  counts,  and  dukes  were  going  about  as  servants. 
Then  they  opened  the  doors  to  him,  which  were  of  pure  gold. 
And  when  he  entered,  there  sat  his  wife  on  a  throne,  which  was 
made  of  one  piece  of  gold,  and  was  quite  two  miles  high;  and 
she  wore  a  great  golden  crown  that  was  three  yards  high,  and 
set  with  diamonds  and  carbuncles.  In  one  hand  she  had  the 
sceptre,  and  in  the  other  the  imperial  orb.  And  on  both  sides 
of  her  stood  the  yeomen  of  the  guard  in  two  rows,  each  being 
smaller  than  the  one  before  him,  from  the  biggest  Giant,  who 
was  two  miles  high,  to  the  very  smallest  Dwarf,  just  as  big  as 
my  little  finger.  And  before  it  stood  a  number  of  princes  and 
dukes. 

Then  the  man  went  and  stood  among  them,  and  said,  "  Wife, 
are  you  Emperor  now?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  she,  "  now  I  am  Emperor." 

Then  he  stood  and  looked  at  her  well,  and  when  he  had 
looked  at  her  thus  for  some  time,  he  said,  "  Ah,  Wife,  be  con- 
tent, now  that  you  are  Emperor." 

"  Husband,"  said  she,  "  why  are  you  standing  there?  Now, 
I  am  Emperor,  but  I  will  be  Pope  too.    Go  to  the  Flounder." 

"  Alas,  Wife,"  said  the  man,  "  what  will  you  not  wish  for? 
You  cannot  be  Pope.  There  is  but  one  in  Christendom.  He 
cannot  make  j^ou  Pope." 

"  Husband,"  said  she,  "  I  will  be  Pope.     Go  immediately. 

I  must  be  Pope  this  very  day." 

[48] 


"YES,"   SAID   SHE  "NOW  I  AM  EMPEROR' 


THE  FISHERMAN  AND  HIS  WIFE 

"  No,  Wife,"  said  the  man,  "  I  do  not  like  to  say  that  to 
him;  that  would  not  do,  it  is  too  much.  The  Flounder  can't 
make  you  Pope." 

"  Husband,"  said  she,  "what  nonsense!  if  he  can  make  an 
Emperor  he  can  make  a  Pope.  Go  to  him  directly.  I  am 
Emperor,  and  you  are  nothing  but  my  husband.  Will  you  go 
at  once?  " 

Then  he  was  afraid  and  went.  But  he  was  quite  faint,  and 
shivered  and  shook,  and  his  knees  and  legs  trembled.  And  a 
high  wind  blew  over  the  land,  and  the  clouds  flew,  and  toward 
evening  all  grew  dark,  and  the  leaves  fell  from  the  trees,  and 
the  water  rose  and  roared  as  if  it  were  boiling,  and  splashed 
upon  the  shore.  In  the  distance  he  saw  ships  which  were  firing 
guns  in  their  sore  need,  pitching  and  tossing  on  the  waves. 
And  yet  in  the  midst  of  the  sky,  there  was  still  a  small  bit  of 
blue,  though  on  every  side  it  was  as  red  as  in  a  heavy  storm. 
So,  full  of  despair,  he  went  and  stood  in  much  fear,  and  said: 

"Flounder,  Flounder  in  the  sea, 
Come,  I  pray  thee,  here  to  me; 
For  my  wife,  Dame  Ilsabil, 
Wills  not  as  I'd  have  her  will." 

"  Well,  what  does  she  want,  now?  "  said  the  Flounder. 

"  Alas,"  said  the  man,  "  she  wants  to  be  Pope." 

"  Go  to  her  then,"  said  the  Flounder;  "  she  is  Pope  already." 

So  he  went,  and  when  he  got  there,  he  saw  what  seemed  to 

be  a  large  church  surrounded  by  palaces.    He  pushed  his  way 

through  the  crowd.     Inside,  however,  everything  was  lighted 

with  thousands  and  thousands  of  candles,  and  his  wife  was 

clad  in  gold,  and  she  was  sitting  on  a  much  higher  throne,  and 

[49] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

had  three  great  golden  crowns  on,  and  round  about  her  there 
was  much  churchly  splendor.  And  on  both  sides  of  her  was 
a  row  of  candles,  the  largest  of  which  was  as  tall  as  the  very 
tallest  tower,  down  to  the  very  smallest  kitchen  candle ;  and  all 
the  emperors  and  kings  were  on  their  knees  before  her,  kissing 
her  shoe. 

"  Wife,"  said  the  man,  and  looked  attentively  at  her,  "  are 
you  now  Pope? " 

"  Yes,"  said  she,  "  I  am  Pope." 

So  he  stood  and  looked  at  her,  and  it  was  just  as  if  he  was 
looking  at  the  bright  sun.  When  he  had  stood  looking  at  her 
thus  for  a  short  time,  he  said,  "  Ah,  Wife,  if  you  are  Pope,  do 
let  well  alone!" 

But  she  looked  as  stiff  as  a  post,  and  did  not  move  or  show 
any  signs  of  life.  Then  said  he,  "  Wife,  now  that  you  are 
Pope,  be  satisfied,  you  cannot  become  anything  greater." 

"  I  will  consider  about  that,"  said  the  woman. 

Thereupon  they  both  went  to  bed.  But  she  was  not  satisfied, 
and  greediness  let  her  have  no  sleep,  for  she  was  continually 
thinking  what  there  was  left  for  her  to  be. 

The  man  slept  well  and  soundly,  for  he  had  run  about  a 
great  deal  during  the  day.  But  the  woman  could  not  fall 
asleep  at  all,  and  flung  herself  from  one  side  to  the  other  the 
whole  night  through,  thinking  what  more  was  left  for  her  to 
be,  but  unable  to  call  to  mind  anything  else. 

At  length  the  sun  began  to  rise,  and  when  the  woman  saw 

the  red  of  dawn,  she  sat  up  in  bed  and  looked  at  it.    And  when, 

through  the  window,  she  saw  the  sun  thus  rising,  she  said, 

"  Cannot  I,  too,  order  the  sun  and  moon  to  rise? " 

[50] 


THE  FISHERMAN  AND  HIS  WIFE 

"  Husband,"  said  she,  poking  him  in  the  ribs  with  her  el- 
bows, "  wake  up !  go  to  the  Flounder,  for  I  wish  to  be  even  as 
God  is." 

The  man  was  still  half  asleep,  but  he  was  so  horrified  that  he 
fell  out  of  bed.  He  thought  he  must  have  heard  amiss,  and 
rubbed  his  eyes,  and  said,  "  Alas,  Wife,  what  are  you  saying? ' 

"  Husband,"  said  she,  "  if  I  can't  order  the  sun  and  moon 
to  rise,  and  have  to  look  on  and  see  the  sun  and  moon  rising, 
I  can't  bear  it.  I  shall  not  know  what  it  is  to  have  another 
happy  hour,  unless  I  can  make  them  rise  myself."  Then  she 
looked  at  him  so  terriblv  that  a  shudder  ran  over  him,  and  said, 
"  Go  at  once.    I  wish  to  be  like  unto  God." 

"  Alas,  Wife,"  said  the  man,  falling  on  his  knees  before  her, 
"  the  Flounder  cannot  do  that.  He  can  make  an  Emperor 
and  a  Pope.    I  beseech  you,  go  on  as  you  are,  and  be  Pope." 

Then  she  fell  into  a  rage,  and  her  hair  flew  wildly  about  her 
head,  and  she  cried,  "  I  will  not  endure  this,  I'll  not  bear  it  any 
longer.  Will  you  go? "  Then  he  put  on  his  trousers  and  ran 
away  like  a  madman. 

But  outside  a  great  storm  was  raging,  and  blowing  so  hard 
that  he  could  scarcely  keep  his  feet.  Houses  and  trees  toppled 
over,  mountains  trembled,  rocks  rolled  into  the  sea,  the  sky 
was  pitch  black,  and  it  thundered  and  lightened.  And  the  sea 
came  in  with  black  waves  as  high  as  church-towers  and  moun- 
tains, and  all  with  crests  of  white  foam  at  the  top.  Then  he 
cried,  but  could  not  hear  his  own  words : 

"Flounder,  Flounder  in  the  sea, 
Come,  I  pray  thee,  here  to  me; 
For  my  wife,  Dame  Ilsabil, 
Wills  not  as  I'd  have  her  will." 
[51] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"  Well,  what  does  she  want,  now?  "  said  the  Flounder. 
"  Alas,"  said  he,  "  she  wants  to  be  like  unto  God." 
"  Go  to  her,  and  you  will  find  her  back  again  in  the  dirty 
hovel." 

And  there  they  are  living  at  this  very  time. 


[52] 


THE  WHITE  SNAKE 


ALONG  time  ago,  there  lived  a  King  who  was  famed 
for  his  wisdom  through  all  the  land.     Nothing  was 
hidden  from  him,  and  it  seemed  as  if  news  of  the  most 
secret  things  was  brought  to  him  through  the  air. 

But  he  had  a  strange  custom.  Every  day  after  dinner,  when 
the  table  was  cleared,  and  no  one  else  was  present,  a  trusty 
servant  had  to  bring  him  one  more  dish.  It  was  covered  and 
even  the  servant  did  not  know  what  was  in  it.  Neither  did  any 
one  know,  for  the  King  never  took  off  the  cover  to  eat  of  it, 
until  he  was  quite  alone. 

This  had  gone  on  for  a  long  time,  when  one  day  the  servant, 
who  took  away  the  dish,  was  overcome  with  such  curiosity  that 
he  could  not  help  carrying  the  dish  into  his  room.  When  he 
had  carefully  locked  the  door,  he  lifted  up  the  cover,  and  saw 
a  White  Snake  lying  on  the  dish.  But  when  he  saw  it,  he  could 
not  deny  himself  the  pleasure  of  tasting  it,  so  he  cut  off  a  little 
bit  and  put  it  into  his  mouth. 

No  sooner  had  it  touched  his  tongue  than  he  heard  a  strange 

[531 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Avhispering  of  little  voices  outside  his  window.  He  went  and 
listened,  and  then  noticed  that  it  was  the  sparrows  who  were 
chattering  together,  and  telling  one  another  of  all  kinds  of 
things  which  they  had  seen  in  the  fields  and  woods.  Eating  the 
Snake  had  given  him  power  to  understand  the  language  of 
animals ! 

Now,  it  so  happened,  that  on  this  very  day  the  Queen  lost 
her  most  beautiful  ring,  and  suspicion  of  having  stolen  it  fell 
upon  this  trusty  servant,  who  was  allowed  to  go  everywhere. 
The  King  ordered  the  man  to  be  brought  before  him,  and 
threatened  with  angry  words  that  unless  he  could,  before  the 
morrow,  point  out  the  thief,  he  himself  should  be  looked  upon 
as  guilty  and  should  be  executed.  In  vain,  he  declared  his  in- 
nocence.   He  was  dismissed  with  no  better  answer. 

In  his  trouble  and  fear,  he  went  down  into  the  courtyard, 
and  took  thought  how  to  help  himself  out  of  his  trouble.  Now 
some  ducks  were  sitting  together  quietly  by  a  brook  and  tak- 
ing their  rest.  And,  whilst  they  were  making  their  feathers 
smooth  with  their  bills,  they  were  having  a  confidential  con- 
versation.   The  servant  stood  by  and  listened. 

They  were  telling  one  another  of  all  the  places  where  they 
had  been  waddling  about  all  the  morning,  and  what  good  food 
they  had  found.  And  one  said  in  a  pitiful  tone,  "  Something 
lies  heavy  on  my  stomach ;  as  I  was  eating  in  haste  I  swallowed 
a  ring  which  lay  under  the  Queen's  window." 

The  servant  at  once  seized  her  by  the  neck,  carried  her  to 
the  kitchen,  and  said  to  the  cook,  "  Here  is  a  fine  duck.    Pray 

kill  her." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  cook,  and  weighed  her  in  his  hand;  "  she  has 

[54] 


the  whitp:  snake 

spared  no  trouble  to  fatten  herself,  and  has  been  waiting  long 
enough  to  be  roasted." 

So  he  cut  off  her  head ;  and  as  she  was  being  dressed  for  the 
spit,  the  Queen's  ring  was  found  inside  her. 

The  servant  could  now  easily  prove  his  innocence.  The 
King,  to  make  amends  for  the  wrong,  allowed  him  to  ask  a 
favor,  and  promised  him  the  best  place  in  the  Court.  The 
servant  refused  everything,  and  asked  only  for  a  horse  and 
some  money  for  traveling,  as  he  had  a  mind  to  see  the  world 
and  go  about  a  little.  When  his  request  was  granted,  he 
set  out  on  his  way. 

One  day  he  came  to  a  pond,  where  he  saw  three  fishes  caught 
in  the  reeds  and  gasping  for  water.  Now,  though  it  is  said  that 
fishes  are  dumb,  he  heard  them  lamenting  that  they  must  per- 
ish so  miserably.  As  he  had  a  kind  heart,  he  got  off  his  horse 
and  put  the  three  prisoners  back  into  the  water. 

They  quivered  with  delight,  put  out  their  heads,  and  cried 
to  him,  "  We  will  remember  you,  and  repay  you  for  saving  us!" 

He  rode  on,  and  after  a  while  it  seemed  to  him  that  he  heard 
a  voice  in  the  sand  at  his  feet.  He  listened,  and  heard  an  Ant- 
King  complain,  "  Why  cannot  folk,  with  their  clumsy  beasts, 
keep  off  our  bodies?  That  stupid  horse,  with  his  heavy  hoofs, 
has  been  treading  down  my  people  without  mercy ! ': 

So  he  turned  on  to  a  side  path  and  the  Ant-King  cried  out 
to  him,  "  We  will  remember  you — one  good  turn  deserves  an- 
other!" 

The  path  led  him  into  a  wood,  and  there  he  saw  two  old 

ravens  standing  by  their  nest,  and  throwing  out  their  young 

ones.    "  Out  with  you,  you  idle,  good-for-nothing  creatures! ': 

[55] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

cried  they;  "we  cannot  find  food  for  you  any  longer.  You 
are  big  enough,  and  can  provide  for  yourselves." 

But  the  poor  young  ravens  lay  upon  the  ground  flapping 
their  wings,  and  crying,  "  Oh,  what  helpless  chicks  we  are! 
We  must  shift  for  ourselves,  and  yet  we  cannot  fly!  What 
can  we  do,  but  lie  here  and  starve?  " 

So  the  good  young  fellow  alighted  and  killed  his  horse  with 
his  sword,  and  gave  it  to  them  for  food.  Then  they  came  hop- 
ping up  to  it,  satisfied  their  hunger,  and  cried,  "  We  will  re- 
member you — one  good  turn  deserves  another !  " 

And  now  he  had  to  use  his  own  legs,  and  when  he  had  walked 
a  long  way,  he  came  to  a  large  city.  There  was  a  great  noise 
and  crowd  in  the  streets,  and  a  man  rode  up  on  horseback,  cry- 
ing aloud,  "  The  King's  Daughter  wants  a  husband.  But 
whoever  sues  for  her  hand  must  perform  a  hard  task.  If  he 
does  not  succeed  he  will  forfeit  his  life." 

Many  had  already  made  the  attempt,  but  in  vain.  Never- 
theless, when  the  youth  saw  the  King's  Daughter  he  was  so 
overcome  by  her  great  beauty,  that  he  forgot  all  danger,  went 
before  the  King,  and  declared  himself  a  suitor. 

So  he  was  led  out  to  the  sea,  and  a  gold  ring  was  cast  into 
it.  Then  the  King  ordered  him  to  fetch  this  ring  up  from  the 
bottom  of  the  sea,  and  added,  "  If  you  come  up  without 
it,  you  will  be  thrown  in  again  and  again  until  you  perish  amid 
the  waves." 

All  the  people  grieved  for  the  handsome  youth;  then  they 
went  away,  leaving  him  alone  by  the  sea. 

He  stood  on  the  shore  and  considered  what  he  should  do, 

when  suddenly  he  saw  three  fishes  come  swimming  toward  him. 

[56] 


THERE   LAY  THE  GOLD  RING  IN  THE  SHELL 


THE  WHITE  SNAKE 

They  were  the  very  fishes  whose  lives  he  had  saved.  The  one 
in  the  middle  held  a  mussel  in  its  mouth,  which  it  laid  on  the 
shore  at  the  youth's  feet.  When  he  had  taken  it  up  and  opened 
it,  there  lay  the  gold  ring  in  the  shell.  Full  of  joy  he  took  it 
to  the  King,  and  expected  that  he  would  grant  him  the  prom- 
ised reward. 

But  when  the  proud  Princess  perceived  that  he  was  not  her 
equal  in  birth,  she  scorned  him,  and  required  him  first  to  per- 
form another  task.  She  went  down  into  the  garden  and 
strewed  with  her  own  hands  ten  sacksful  of  millet-seed  on  the 
grass. 

Then  she  said,  "  To-morrow  morning  before  sunrise  these 
must  be  picked  up,  and  not  a  single  grain  be  wanting." 

The  youth  sat  down  in  the  garden  and  considered  how  he 
might  perforin  this  task.  But  he  could  think  of  nothing,  and 
there  he  sat  sorrowfully  awaiting  the  break  of  day,  when  he 
should  be  led  to  death.  But  as  soon  as  the  first  rays  of  the  sun 
shone  into  the  garden,  he  saw  all  the  ten  sacks  standing  side 
by  side,  quite  full,  and  not  a  single  grain  was  missing.  The 
Ant-King  had  come  in  the  night  with  thousands  and  thousands 
of  ants,  and  the  grateful  creatures  had,  by  great  industry, 
picked  up  all  the  millet-seeds  and  gathered  them  into  the  sacks. 

Presently,  the  King's  Daughter  herself  came  down  into  the 
garden,  and  was  amazed  to  see  that  the  young  man  had  done 
the  task  she  had  given  him. 

But  she  could  not  yet  conquer  her  proud  heart,  and  said, 

"  Although  he  has  performed  both  the  tasks,  he  shall  not  be 

my  husband,  until  he  has  brought  me  an  apple  from  the  Tree 

of  Life." 

[57] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

The  youth  did  not  know  where  the  Tree  of  Life  stood,  but 
he  set  out,  and  would  have  gone  on  forever,  as  long  as  his  legs 
would  carry  him,  though  he  had  no  hope  of  finding  it.  After 
he  had  wandered  through  three  kingdoms,  he  came  one  evening 
to  a  wood,  and  lay  down  under  a  tree  to  sleep. 

But  he  heard  a  rustling  in  the  branches,  and  a  Golden  Apple 
fell  into  his  hand.  At  the  same  time  three  ravens  flew  down 
to  him,  perched  themselves  upon  his  knee,  and  said,  "  We  are 
the  three  young  ravens  whom  you  saved  from  starving.  When 
we  had  grown  big,  and  heard  that  you  were  seeking  the  Golden 
Apple,  we  flew  over  the  sea  to  the  end  of  the  world,  where  the 
Tree  of  Life  stands,  and  have  brought  you  the  apple." 

The  youth,  full  of  joy,  set  out  homeward,  and  took  the 
Golden  Apple  to  the  King's  beautiful  Daughter,  who  had  now 
no  more  excuses  left  to  make.  They  cut  the  Apple  of  Life  in 
two  and  ate  it  together;  and  then  her  heart  became  full  of  love 
for  him,  and  they  lived  to  a  great  age  in  undisturbed  happi- 
ness. 


[58] 


HAENSEL  AND  GRETHEL 

HARD  by  a  great  forest,  dwelt  a  poor  wood-cutter  with 
his  wife  and  his  two  children.  The  boy  was  called 
Haensel  and  the  girl,  Grethel.  He  had  little  to  bite 
and  to  break;  and  once  when  great  scarcity  fell  on  the  land,  he 
could  no  longer  procure  daily  bread. 

Now,  when  he  thought  over  this  by  night  in  his  bed,  and 
tossed  about  in  his  anxiety,  he  groaned  and  said  to  his  wife, 
"What  is  to  become  of  us?  How  are  we  to  feed  our  poor 
children,  when  we  no  longer  have  anything  even  for  our- 
selves?" 

"  I'll  tell  you  what,  Husband,"  answered  the  woman,  "  early 
to-morrow  morning  we  will  take  the  children  out  into  the  forest 
to  where  it  is  the  thickest;  there  we  will  light  a  fire  for  them, 
and  give  each  of  them  one  piece  of  bread  more.  Then  we  will 
go  to  our  work  and  leave  them  alone.  They  will  not  find  the 
way  home  again,  and  we  shall  be  rid  of  them." 

"  No,  Wife,"  said  the  man,  "  I  will  not  do  that.    How  can  I 

bear  to  leave  my  children  alone  in  the  forest? — the  wild  animals 

would  soon  come  and  tear  them  to  pieces." 

[59] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"  Oh,  you  fool! "  said  she.  "  Then  we  must  all  four  die  of 
hunger.    You  may  as  well  plane  the  planks  for  our  coffins." 

And  she  left  him  no  peace  until  he  consented.  "  But  I  feel 
very  sorry  for  the  poor  children,  all  the  same,"  said  the  man. 

The  two  children  had  also  not  been  able  to  sleep  for  hunger, 
and  had  heard  what  the  woman  had  said  to  their  father. 

Grethel  wept  bitter  tears,  and  said  to  Haensel,  "  Now  all  is 
over  with  us." 

"  Be  quiet,  Grethel,"  said  Haensel,  "  do  not  distress  your- 
self, I  will  soon  find  a  way  to  help  us." 

And  when  the  old  folk  had  fallen  asleep,  he  got  up,  put  on 
his  little  coat,  opened  the  door  below,  and  crept  outside.  The 
moon  shone  brightly,  and  the  white  pebbles,  which  lay  in  front 
of  the  house,  glittered  like  real  silver  pennies.  Haensel 
stooped  and  put  as  many  of  them  in  the  little  pocket  of  his 
coat  as  he  could  possibly  get  in. 

Then  he  went  back  and  said  to  Grethel,  "  Be  comforted, 
dear  little  Sister,  and  sleep  in  peace.  God  will  not  forsake  us," 
and  he  lay  down  again  in  his  bed. 

When  day  dawned,  but  before  the  sun  had  risen,  the  woman 
came  and  awoke  the  two  children,  saying,  "  Get  up,  you  slug- 
gards !  we  are  going  into  the  forest  to  fetch  wood."  She  gave 
each  a  little  piece  of  bread,  and  said,  "  There  is  something  for 
your  dinner,  but  do  not  eat  it  up  before  then,  for  you  will  get 
nothing  else." 

Grethel  took  the  bread  under  her  apron,  as  Haensel  had  the 

stones  in  his  pocket.    Then  they  all  set  out  together  on  the  way 

to  the  forest.    When  they  had  walked  a  short  time,  Haensel 

stood  still  and  peeped  back,  and  did  so  again  and  again  while 

[60] 


HAENSEL  AND  GRETHEL 

he  was  throwing  the  white  pebble-stones  one  by  one  out  of  his 
pocket  onto  the  road. 

When  they  had  reached  the  middle  of  the  forest,  the  father 
said,  "  Now,  Children,  pile  up  some  wood,  and  I  will  light  a 
fire  that  you  may  not  be  cold." 

Haensel  and  Grethel  gathered  brushwood  together,  as  high 
as  a  little  hill.  The  brushwood  was  lighted,  and  when  the 
flames  were  burning  very  high,  the  woman  said,  "  Now,  Chil- 
dren, lay  yourselves  down  by  the  fire  and  rest.  We  will  go 
into  the  forest  and  cut  some  wood.  When  we  have  done,  we 
will  come  back  and  fetch  you  away." 

Haensel  and  Grethel  sat  by  the  fire,  and  when  noon  came, 
each  ate  a  little  piece  of  bread;  and,  as  they  heard  the  strokes 
of  the  wood-axe,  they  believed  that  their  father  was  near.  It 
was,  however,  not  the  axe,  it  was  a  branch  which  he  had 
fastened  to  a  withered  tree  which  the  wind  was  blowing  back- 
ward and  forward.  And  as  they  had  been  sitting  such  a  long 
time,  their  eyes  shut  with  fatigue,  and  they  fell  fast  asleep. 

When  at  last  they  awoke,  it  was  already  dark  night.  Grethel 
began  to  cry  and  said,  "  How  are  we  to  get  out  of  the  forest 
now? 

But  Haensel  comforted  her,  and  said,  "  Just  wait  a  little, 
until  the  moon  has  risen,  and  then  we  shall  soon  find  the  way." 

And  when  the  full  moon  had  risen,  Haensel  took  his  little 
sister  by  the  hand,  and  followed  the  pebbles  which  shone  like 
newly-coined  silver  pieces,  and  showed  them  the  way. 

They  walked  the  whole  night  long,  and,  by  break  of  day, 
came  once  more  to  their  father's  house.  They  knocked  at  the 
door-  and  when  the  woman  opened  it  and  saw  that  it  was 

[61] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

^  Haensel  and  Grethel,  she  said,  "  You  naughty  children,  why 
have  you  slept  so  long  in  the  forest? — we  thought  you  were 
never  coming  back  at  all!  " 

The  father,  however,  rejoiced,  for  it  had  cut  him  to  the  heart 
to  leave  them  behind  alone. 

Not  long  afterward,  there  was  another  famine  in  all  parts, 
and  the  children  heard  their  mother  saying  at  night  to  their 
father,  "  Everything  is  eaten  again,  we  have  one-half  loaf  left, 
and  after  that  there  is  an  end.  The  children  must  go,  we  will 
take  them  farther  into  the  wood,  so  that  they  will  not  find  their 
way  out  again.     There  is  no  other  means  of  saving  ourselves ! ' 

The  man's  heart  was  heavy,  and  he  thought  "  it  would  be 
better  for  you  to  share  the  last  mouthful  with  your  children ! " 
The  woman,  however,  would  listen  to  nothing  that  he  had  to 
say,  but  scolded  and  reproached  him.  He  who  says  A  must 
say  B,  likewise,  and  as  he  had  yielded  the  first  time,  he  had  to 
do  so  a  second  time  also. 

The  children  were,  however,  still  awake  and  had  heard  the 
conversation.  When  the  old  folk  were  asleep,  Haensel  again 
got  up  to  go  out  and  pick  up  pebbles.  But  the  woman  had 
locked  the  door,  and  Haensel  could  not  get  out.  Nevertheless 
he  comforted  his  little  sister,  and  said,  "  Do  not  cry,  Grethel, 
go  to  sleep  quietly,  the  good  God  will  help  us." 

Early  in  the  morning,  came  the  woman,  and  took  the  chil- 
dren out  of  their  beds.  Their  bit  of  bread  was  given  to  them, 
but  it  was  still  smaller  than  the  time  before.  On  the  way  into 
the  forest,  Haensel  crumbled  his  in  his  pocket,  and  often  stood 
still  and  threw  a  morsel  on  the  ground,  and  little  by  little, 

threw  all  the  crumbs  on  the  path. 

[62] 


HAENSEL  AND  GRETHEL 

The  woman  led  the  children  still  deeper  into  the  forest, 
where  they  had  never  in  their  lives  been  before.  Then  a  great 
fire  was  again  made,  and  the  mother  said,  "  Just  sit  there,  you 
Children,  and  when  you  are  tired  you  may  sleep  a  little.  We 
are  going  into  the  forest  to  cut  wood.  In  the  evening,  when 
we  are  done,  we  will  come  and  fetch  you  away." 

When  it  wTas  noon,  Grethel  shared  her  piece  of  bread  with 
Haensel,  who  had  scattered  his  by  the  way.  Then  they  fell 
asleep,  and  evening  passed,  but  no  one  came  to  the  poor  chil- 
dren. 

They  did  not  awake  until  it  was  dark  night,  and  Haensel 
comforted  his  little  sister  and  said,  "  Just  wait,  Grethel,  until 
the  moon  rises,  and  then  we  shall  see  the  crumbs  of  bread  which 
I  have  strewn.     They  will  show  us  our  way  home  again." 

When  the  moon  came,  they  set  out,  but  they  found  no 
crumbs,  for  the  many  thousands  of  birds,  which  fly  about  in  the 
woods  and  fields,  had  picked  them  all  up.  Haensel  said  to 
Grethel,  "  We  shall  soon  find  the  way,"  but  they  did  not 
find  it. 

They  walked  the  whole  night  and  all  the  next  day,  from 
morning  till  evening,  but  they  did  not  get  out  of  the  forest,  and 
were  very  hungry,  for  they  had  nothing  to  eat  but  two  or  three 
berries,  which  grew  on  the  ground.  And  as  they  were  so 
weary  that  their  legs  would  carry  them  no  longer,  they  lay 
down  beneath  a  tree  and  fell  asleep. 

It  was  now  three  mornings  since  they  had  left  their  father's 
house.  They  began  to  walk  again,  but  they  always  got  deeper 
into  the  forest.     If  help  did  not  come  soon,  they  must  die  of 


hunger  and  weariness! 


[63  1 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

When  it  was  midday,  they  saw  a  beautiful  Snow-White 
Bird  sitting  on  a  bough,  which  sang  so  delightfully  that  they 
stood  still  and  listened  to  it.  And  when  it  had  finished  its 
song,  it  spread  its  wings  and  flew  away  before  them.  They 
followed  it  until  they  reached  a  little  house,  on  the  roof  of 
which  it  alighted. 

When  they  came  quite  up  to  the  little  house  they  saw  that  it 
was  built  of  bread  and  covered  with  cakes,  but  that  the  win- 
dows were  of  clear  sugar. 

"  We  will  set  to  work  on  that,"  said  Haensel,  "  and  have  a 
good  meal.  I  will  eat  a  bit  of  the  roof,  and  you,  Grethel,  can 
eat  some  of  the  window;  it  will  taste  sweet." 

Haensel  reached  up  and  broke  off  a  little  of  the  roof  to  try 
how  it  tasted.  Grethel  leant  against  the  window  and  nibbled 
at  the  panes.     Then  a  soft  voice  cried  from  the  room: 

"Nibble,  nibble,  gnaw! 
Who  nibbles  at  my  door?" 

but  the  children  went  on  eating  without  disturbing  themselves. 
Haensel,  who  thought  the  roof  tasted  very  nice,  tore  down  a 
great  piece  of  it.  Grethel  pushed  out  the  whole  of  one  round 
window-pane,  sat  down,  and  enjoyed  herself  with  it. 

Suddenly  the  door  opened,  and  a  very,  very  old  woman, 
leaning  on  crutches,  came  creeping  out.  Haensel  and  Grethel 
were  so  terribly  frightened  that  they  let  fall  what  they  had  in 
their  hands. 

The  Old  Woman,  however,  nodded  her  head,  and  said,  "  Oh, 

you  dear  Children,  who  has  brought  you  here?     Do  come  in, 

and  stay  with  me.     No  harm  shall  happen  to  you." 

[641 


HAENSEL  AND  GRETHEL 

She  took  them  both  by  the  hand,  and  led  them  into  her  little 
house.  Then  she  set  good  food  before  them,  milk  and  pan- 
cakes, with  sugar,  apples,  and  nuts.  Afterward  she  covered 
two  pretty  little  beds  with  clean  white  linen,  and  Haensel  and 
Grethel  lay  down  in  them,  and  thought  they  were  in  Heaven. 

The  Old  Woman  had  only  pretended  to  be  so  kind.  She 
was  really  a  wicked  Witch,  who  lay  in  wait  for  children,  and 
who  had  built  the  little  bread  house  in  order  to  entice  them 
there.  When  a  child  fell  into  her  power,  she  killed  it,  cooked, 
and  ate  it ;  and  that  was  a  feast-day  with  her. 

Witches  have  red  eyes,  and  cannot  see  far,  but  they  have  a 
keen  scent  like  the  beasts',  and  are  aware  when  human  beings 
draw  near.  When  Haensel  and  Grethel  came  into  her  neigh- 
borhood, she  laughed  maliciously,  and  said  mockingly,  "  I 
have  them,  they  shall  not  escape  me  again! " 

Early  in  the  morning  before  the  children  were  awake,  she 
was  up.  And  when  she  saw  both  of  them  sleeping  and  looking 
so  pretty,  with  their  plump  red  cheeks,  she  muttered  to  herself, 
"  That  will  be  a  dainty  mouthful!  " 

Then  she  seized  Haensel  with  her  shrivelled  hand,  carried 
him  into  a  little  stable,  and  shut  him  in  with  a  grated  door. 
He  might  scream  as  he  liked,  that  was  of  no  use ! 

Then  she  went  to  Grethel,  shook  her  till  she  awoke,  and 
cried,  "  Get  up,  lazy  thing,  fetch  some  water,  and  cook  some- 
thing good  for  your  brother.  He  is  in  the  stable  outside,  and 
is  to  be  made  fat.    When  he  is  fat,  I  will  eat  him." 

Grethel  began  to  weep  bitterly.     But  it  was  all  in  vain,  she 

was  forced  to  do  what  the  wicked  Witch  ordered  her. 

And  now  the  best  food  was  cooked  for  poor  Haensel,  while 

[65] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Grethel  got  nothing  but  crab-shells.  Every  morning  the 
woman  crept  to  the  little  stable,  and  cried,  "  Haensel,  stretch 
out  your  finger  that  I  may  feel  if  you  will  soon  be  fat." 

When  four  weeks  had  gone  by  she  was  seized  with  impa- 
tience and  would  not  wait  any  longer.  "  Ho,  there !  Grethel,"  she 
cried  to  the  girl,  "  be  active,  and  bring  some  water.  Let 
Haensel  be  fat  or  lean,  to-morrow  I  will  kill  him,  and  cook 
him." 

Ah!  how  the  poor  little  sister  did  lament  when  she  had  to 
fetch  the  water,  and  how  her  tears  did  flow  down  over  her 
cheeks!  "Dear  God,  do  help  us,"  she  cried.  "If  the  wild 
beasts  in  the  forest  had  but  devoured  us,  we  should  at  any  rate 
have  died  together! " 

"  Just  keep  your  noise  to  yourself,"  said  the  Old  Woman, 
"  all  that  won't  help  you  at  all." 

Early  in  the  morning,  Grethel  had  to  go  out  and  hang  up 
the  cauldron,  full  of  water,  and  light  the  fire. 

"  We  will  bake  first,"  said  the  Old  Woman,  "  I  have  already 
heated  the  oven,  and  kneaded  the  dough."  She  pushed  poor 
Grethel  out  to  the  oven,  from  which  flames  of  fire  were  darting. 

"  Creep  in,"  said  the  Witch,  "  and  see  if  it  is  properly 
heated,  so  that  we  can  shut  the  bread  in."  And  when  once 
Grethel  was  inside,  she  intended  to  shut  the  oven  and  let  her 
bake  in  it,  and  then  eat  her,  too. 

But  Grethel  saw  what  she  had  in  her  mind,  and  would  not 

creep  in.     "Silly  Goose,"  said  the  Old  Woman;  "the  door 

is  big  enough.     Just  look,  I  can  get  in  myself!  "  and  she  crept 

up  and  thrust  her  head  in.     Then  she  fell  over  into  the  oven 

and  was  miserably  burnt  to  death. 

[06] 


HAENSEL  AND  GRETHEL 

Grethel,  however,  ran  as  quick  as  lightning  to  Haensel, 
opened  his  little  stable,  and  cried,  "  Haensel,  we  are  saved ! 
The  old  Witch  is  dead!" 

Then  Haensel  sprang  out  like  a  bird  from  its  cage,  when 
the  door  is  opened  for  it.  How  the}''  did  rejoice  and  embrace 
each  other,  and  dance  about  and  kiss  each  other !  And  as  they 
had  no  longer  any  need  to  fear  her,  they  went  into  the  Witch's 
house,  and  in  every  corner  there  stood  chests  full  of  pearls  and 
jewels. 

"  These  are  far  better  than  pebbles ! "  said  Haensel,  and 
thrust  into  his  pockets  whatever  could  be  got  in. 

And  Grethel  said,  "  I,  too,  will  take  something  home  with 
me,"  and  filled  her  pinafore  full. 

"  But  now  we  will  go  away,"  said  Haensel,  "  that  we  may 
get  out  of  the  Witch's  forest." 

When  they  had  walked  for  two  hours,  they  came  to  a  great 
piece  of  water.  "  We  cannot  get  over,"  said  Haensel,  "  I  see 
no  foot-plank,  and  no  bridge." 

"Ajnd  no  boat  crosses  either,"  answered  Grethel,  "  but  a 
white  duck  is  swimming  there.  If  I  ask  her,  she  will  help  us 
over."    Then  she  cried: 

"Little  Duck,  little  Duck,  dost  thou  see, 
Haensel  and  Grethel  are  waiting  for  thee? 
There's  never  a  plank,  nor  a  bridge  in  sight, 
Take  us  across  on  thy  back  so  white." 

The  duck  came  to  them,  and  Haensel  seated  himself  on  her 
back,  and  told  his  sister  to  sit  by  him.  "  No,"  replied  Grethel, 
"  that  will  be  too  heavy  for  the  little  duck.     She  shall  take  us 

across,  one  after  the  other." 

[67] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

The  good  little  duck  did  so,  and  when  they  were  once  safely 
across  and  had  walked  for  a  short  time,  the  forest  seemed  to  be 
more  and  more  familiar  to  them.  At  length,  they  saw  from 
afar  their  father's  house.  Then  they  began  to  run,  rushed  into 
the  parlor,  and  threw  themselves  into  their  father's  arms.  The 
man  had  not  known  one  happy  hour  since  he  had  left  the  chil- 
dren in  the  forest.    The  woman,  however,  was  dead. 

Grethel  emptied  her  pinafore  until  pearls  and  precious 
stones  ran  about  the  room,  and  Haensel  threw  one  handful 
after  another  out  of  his  pocket  to  add  to  them.  Then  all 
trouble  was  at  an  end,  and  they  lived  together  in  perfect  hap- 
piness. 

My  tale  is  done,  there  runs  a  mouse,  whosoever  catches  it, 
may  make  himself  a  big,  big  fur  cap  out  of  it ! 


[68  1 


THE   SEVEN  RAVENS 


THERE  was  once  a  man  who  had  seven  sons,  but  never 
a  daughter  no  matter  how  much  he  wished  for  one. 
At  length,  his  wife  had  a  child,  and  it  was  a  daugh- 
ter.    The  joy  was  great.     But  the  child  was  sickly  and  small, 
and  so  weak  that  it  had  to  be  baptized  at  once. 

The  father  sent  one  of  the  boys  in  a  hurry  to  the  spring,  to 
fetch  water  for  the  baptism.  The  other  six  boys  ran  along  with 
him.  And  as  each  strove  to  be  the  first  to  fill  the  jug,  it  fell 
into  the  spring.  There  they  stood,  and  did  not  know  what  to 
do.     None  of  them  dared  to  go  home. 

When  they  did  not  come  back,  the  father  grew  impatient, 
and  said,  "  They  have  forgotten  all  about  it  in  a  game  of  play, 
the  wicked  boys !  " 

Soon  he  grew  afraid  lest  the  child  should  die  without  being 
baptized,  and  he  cried  out  in  anger,  "  I  wish  the  boys  were  all 
turned  into  Ravens !  " 

Hardly  was  the  word  spoken,  before  he  heard  a  whirring  of 

wings  in  the  air  above  his  head.     He  looked  up,  and  saw  seven 

coal-black  Ravens  flying  high  and  away. 

[69] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

The  parents  could  not  recall  the  curse.  And  though  they 
grieved  over  the  loss  of  their  seven  sons,  yet  they  comforted 
themselves  somewhat  with  their  dear  little  daughter,  who  soon 
grew  strong  and  every  day  more  beautiful. 

For  a  long  time,  she  did  not  know  that  she  had  had  brothers. 
Her  parents  were  careful  not  to  mention  them  before  her. 
But  one  day,  she  chanced  to  overhear  some  people  talking 
about  her,  and  saying,  "  that  the  maiden  is  certainly  beautiful, 
but  really  to  blame  for  the  misfortune  of  her  seven  brothers." 

Then  she  was  much  troubled,  and  went  to  her  father  and 
mother,  and  asked  if  it  was  true  that  she  had  had  brothers,  and 
what  was  become  of  them. 

The  parents  did  not  dare  to  keep  the  secret  longer,  and  said 
that  her  birth  was  only  the  innocent  cause  of  what  had  hap- 
pened to  her  brothers.  But  the  maiden  laid  it  daily  to  heart, 
and  thought  that  she  must  deliver  her  brothers. 

She  had  no  peace  and  rest  until  she  set  out  secretly,  and  went 
forth  into  the  wide  world  to  seek  them  out,  and  set  them  free, 
let  it  cost  what  it  might.  She  took  nothing  with  her  but  a  little 
ring  belonging  to  her  parents  as  a  keepsake,  a  loaf  of  bread 
against  hunger,  a  little  pitcher  of  water  against  thirst,  and  a 
little  chair  as  a  provision  against  weariness. 

And  now,  she  went  continually  onward,  far,  far,  to  the  very 
end  of  the  world.  Then  she  came  to  the  Sun,  but  it  was  too 
hot  and  terrible,  and  devoured  little  children.  Hastily  she  ran 
away,  and  ran  to  the  Moon,  but  it  was  far  too  cold,  and  also 
awful  and  malicious.    And  when  it  saw  the  child,  it  said: 

"I  smell,  I  smell 
The  flesh  of  men!  " 
[70] 


EACH  STAR  SAT  ON  ITS  OWN  LITTLE  CHAIR 


THE  SEVEN  RAVENS 

On  this  she  ran  swiftly  away,  and  came  to  the  Stars,  which 
were  kind  and  good  to  her,  and  each  of  them  sat  on  its  own 
little  chair.  But  the  Morning  Star  arose,  and  gave  her  the 
drumstick  of  a  chicken,  and  said,  "  If  you  have  not  that  drum- 
stick you  cannot  open  the  Glass  Mountain,  and  in  the  Glass 
Mountain  are  your  brothers." 

The  maiden  took  the  drumstick,  wrapped  it  carefully  in  a 
cloth,  and  went  onward  again  until  she  came  to  the  Glass 
Mountain.  The  door  was  shut,  and  she  thought  she  would 
take  out  the  drumstick.  But  when  she  undid  the  cloth,  it  was 
empty,  and  she  had  lost  the  good  Star's  present.  What  was 
she  now  to  do?  She  wished  to  rescue  her  brothers,  and  had  no 
key  to  the  Glass  Mountain.  The  good  little  sister  took  a 
knife,  cut  off  one  of  her  little  fingers,  put  it  in  the  door,  and 
succeeded  in  opening  it. 

When  she  had  got  inside,  a  little  Dwarf  came  to  meet  her, 
who  said,  "  My  Child,  what  are  you  looking  for?  " 

"  I  am  looking  for  my  brothers,  the  Seven  Ravens,"  she  re- 
plied. 

The  Dwarf  said,  "  The  Lord  Ravens  are  not  at  home,  but  if 
you  wish  to  wait  here  until  they  come,  step  in." 

Thereupon  the  little  Dwarf  carried  the  Ravens'  dinner  in, 
on  seven  little  plates,  and  in  seven  little  glasses.  The  little 
sister  ate  a  morsel  from  each  plate,  and  from  each  little  glass 
she  took  a  sip.  But  in  the  last  little  glass  she  dropped  the 
ring  which  she  had  brought  away  with  her. 

Suddenly,  she  heard  a  whirring  of  wings  and  a  rushing 

through  the  air,  and  then  the  little  Dwarf  said,  "  Now  the  Lord 

Ravens  are  flying  home." 

[71] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Then  they  came,  and  wanted  to  eat  and  drink,  and  looked  for 
their  little  plates  and  glasses.  Then  said  one  after  the  other, 
"  Who  has  eaten  something  from  my  plate?  Who  has  drunk 
out  of  my  little  glass?     It  was  a  human  mouth." 

And  when  the  seventh  came  to  the  bottom  of  the  glass,  the 
ring  rolled  against  his  mouth.  Then  he  looked  at  it,  and  saw 
that  it  was  a  ring  belonging  to  his  father  and  mother,  and  said, 
"God  grant  that  our  little  sister  may  be  here,  and  then  we  shall 
be  free." 

When  the  maiden,  who  was  standing  behind  the  door  watch- 
ing, heard  that  wish,  she  came  forth,  and  on  this  all  the  Ravens 
were  restored  to  their  human  form  again.  And  they  embraced 
and  kissed  each  other,  and  went  joyfully  home. 


[72] 


ASH-MAIDEN 


THE  wife  of  a  rich  man  fell  sick,  and  as  she  felt  that  her 
end  was  drawing  near,  she  called  her  only  daughter  to 
her  bedside  and  said,  "  Dear  Child,  be  good  and  pious, 
and  then  the  dear  God  will  always  protect  you,  and  I  will  look 
down  on  you  from  Heaven  and  be  near  you."  Thereupon  she 
closed  her  eyes  and  departed. 

Every  day,  the  maiden  went  out  to  her  mother's  grave  and 
wept,  and  she  remained  pious  and  good.  When  winter  came 
the  snow  spread  a  white  sheet  over  the  grave,  and  when  the 
spring-sun  had  drawn  it  off  again,  the  man  had  taken  another 
wife. 

The  woman  had  brought  two  daughters  into  the  house  with 
her,  who  were  beautiful  and  fair  of  face,  but  vile  and  black  of 
heart.  Now  began  a  bad  time  for  the  poor  child.  "  Is  the 
stupid  goose  to  sit  in  the  parlor  with  us?"  said  they.  "He 
who  wants  to  eat  bread,  must  earn  it.  Out  with  the  kitchen- 
wench!  " 

They  took  her  pretty  clothes  away  from  her,  put  an  old  gray 

bedgown  on  her  and  gave  her  wooden  shoes.     "  Just  look  at  the 

[73] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

proud  Princess,  how  decked  out  she  is!"  they  cried,  and 
laughed,  and  led  her  into  the  kitchen. 

There  she  had  to  do  hard  work  from  morning  till  night,  get 
up  before  daybreak,  carry  water,  light  fires,  cook  and  wash. 
Besides  this,  the  sisters  did  her  every  imaginable  injury — they 
mocked  her  and  emptied  her  peas  and  lentils  into  the  ashes,  so 
that  she  was  forced  to  sit  and  pick  them  out  again. 

In  the  evening,  when  she  had  worked  till  she  was  weary,  she 
had  no  bed  to  go  to,  but  had  to  sleep  by  the  fireside  in  the  ashes. 
And  as  on  that  account  she  always  looked  dusty  and  dirty, 
they  called  her  Ash-Maiden. 

It  happened  once  that  the  father  was  going  to  the  Fair,  and 
he  asked  the  two  daughters  what  he  should  bring  back  for 
them. 

"  Beautiful  dresses,"  said  one.  "  Pearls  and  jewels,"  said 
the  second. 

"  And  you,  Ash-Maiden,"  said  he,  "  what  will  you  have?  " 

"  Father,  break  off  for  me  the  first  branch  which  knocks 
against  your  hat  on  your  way  home." 

So  he  bought  beautiful  dresses,  pearls  and  jewels  for  the  two 
daughters,  and  on  his  way  home,  as  he  was  riding  through  a 
green  thicket,  a  hazel  twig  brushed  against  him  and  knocked 
off  his  hat.     Then  he  broke  off  the  branch  and  took  it  with  him. 

When  he  reached  home  he  gave  the  two  daughters  the  things 
which  they  had  wished  for,  and  to  Ash-Maiden  he  gave  the 
branch  from  the  hazel-bush.  Ash-Maiden  thanked  him,  went 
to  her  mother's  grave  and  planted  the  branch  on  it,  and  wept 
so  much  that  the  tears  fell  down  on  it  and  watered  it. 

It  grew,  however,  and  became  a  handsome  tree.     Thrice  a 

[74] 


ASH-MAIDEN 

day  Ash-Maiden  went  and  sat  beneath  it,  and  wept  and 
prayed,  and  a  little  White  Bird  always  came  on  the  tree.  And 
if  Ash-Maiden  expressed  a  wish,  the  bird  threw  down  to  her 
what  she  had  wished  for. 

It  happened  that  the  King  gave  a  feast,  which  was  to  last 
three  days.  To  it  all  the  beautiful  young  girls  in  the  country 
were  invited,  in  order  that  his  son  might  choose  himself  a  Bride. 
When  the  two  sisters  heard  that  they  too  were  to  appear  among 
the  number,  they  were  delighted. 

They  called  Ash-Maiden  and  said,  "  Comb  our  hair,  brush 
our  shoes,  and  fasten  our  buckles,  for  we  are  going  to  the  feast 
at  the  King's  palace." 

Ash-Maiden  obeyed,  but  wept,  because  she  too  would  have 
liked  to  go  with  them  to  the  dance,  and  she  begged  her  mother 
to  allow  her  to  do  so. 

"You  go,  Ash-Maiden!"  said  she;  "you  are  dusty  and 
dirty,  and  would  go  to  the  feast?  You  have  no  clothes  and 
shoes,  and  yet  would  dance !  " 

As,  however,  Ash-Maiden  went  on  asking,  the  mother  at  last 
said,  "  I  have  emptied  a  dish  of  lentils  into  the  ashes  for  you. 
If  you  have  picked  them  out  again  in  two  hours,  you  shall  go 
with  us." 

The  maiden  went  through  the  back-door  into  the  garden, 
and  called,  "  You  tame  Pigeons,  you  Turtledoves,  and  all  you 
birds  beneath  the  sky,  come  and  help  me  to  pick 

"The  good  into  the  pot, 
The  bad  into  the  crop!  " 

Then  two  white  pigeons  came  in  by  the  kitchen-window,  and 

[75] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

afterward  the  turtledoves.  And  at  last  all  the  birds  beneath 
the  sky  came  whirring  and  crowding  in,  and  alighted  amongst 
the  ashes.  And  the  pigeons  nodded  with  their  heads  and  be- 
gan pick,  pick,  pick,  pick,  and  the  rest  began  also  pick, 
pick,  pick,  pick,  and  gathered  all  the  good  grains  into  the  dish. 
Hardly  had  one  hour  passed  before  they  had  finished,  and  all 
flew  out  again. 

Then  the  girl  took  the  dish  to  the  mother,  and  was  glad,  and 
believed  that  now  she  would  be  allowed  to  go  with  them  to  the 
feast. 

But  the  mother  said,  "  No,  Ash-Maiden,  you  have  no  clothes 
and  you  cannot  dance.    You  would  only  be  laughed  at." 

And  as  Ash-Maiden  wept  at  this,  the  mother  said,  "  If  you 
can  pick  two  dishes  of  lentils  out  of  the  ashes  for  me  in  one 
hour,  you  shall  go  with  us."  And  she  thought  to  herself, 
"  That  she  most  certainly  cannot  do." 

When  the  mother  had  emptied  the  two  dishes  of  lentils 
amongst  the  ashes,  the  maiden  went  through  the  back-door  into 
the  garden  and  cried,  "  You  tame  Pigeons,  you  Turtledoves, 
and  all  you  birds  under  heaven,  come  and  help  me  to  pick 

"The  good  into  the  pot, 
The  bad  into  the  crop!  " 

Then  two  white  pigeons  came  in  by  the  kitchen-window,  and 
afterward  the  turtledoves.  And  at  last  all  the  birds  be- 
neath the  sky  came  whirring  and  crowding  in,  and  alighted 
amongst  the  ashes.  And  the  doves  nodded  with  their  heads 
and  began  pick,  pick,  pick,  pick,  and  the  others  began  also  pick, 

pick,  pick,  pick,  and  gathered  all  the  good  seeds  into  the  dishes. 

[761 


ASH-MAIDEN 

And  before  half  an  hour  was  over  they  had  already  finished,  and 
all  flew  out  again. 

Then  the  maiden  carried  the  dishes  to  the  mother  and  was 
delighted,  and  believed  that  she  might  now  go  with  them  to  the 
feast. 

But  the  mother  said,  "All  this  will  not  help  you.  You  go 
not  with  us,  for  you  have  no  clothes  and  cannot  dance.  We 
should  be  ashamed  of  you !  " 

Then  she  turned  her  back  on  Ash-Maiden,  and  hurried  away 
with  her  two  proud  daughters. 

As  no  one  was  now  at  home,  Ash-Maiden  went  to  her 
mother's  grave  beneath  the  hazel-tree,  and  cried : 

"Shiver  and  quiver,  Little  Tree, 
Silver  and  gold  throw  over  me!  " 

Then  the  bird  threw  a  gold  and  silver  dress  down  to  her, 
and  slippers  embroidered  with  silk  and  silver.  She  put  on  the 
dress  with  all  speed,  and  went  to  the  feast. 

Her  sisters  and  the  mother,  however,  did  not  know  her,  and 
thought  she  must  be  a  foreign  Princess,  for  she  looked  so  beau- 
tiful in  the  golden  dress.  They  never  once  thought  of  Ash- 
Maiden,  and  believed  that  she  was  sitting  at  home  in  the  dirt, 
picking  lentils  out  of  the  ashes. 

The  Prince  went  to  meet  her,  took  her  by  the  hand,  and  he 
danced  with  her.  He  would  dance  with  no  other  maiden,  and 
never  let  go  of  her  hand.  And  if  any  one  else  came  to  invite 
her,  he  said,  "  This  is  my  partner." 

She  danced  till  it  was  evening,  and  then  she  wanted  to  go 

home.     But  the  King's  Son  said,  "  I  will  go  with  you  and  bear 

[77] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

you  company,"  for  he  wished  to  see  to  whom  the  beautiful 
maiden  belonged. 

She  escaped  from  him,  however,  and  sprang  into  the  pigeon- 
house.  The  King's  Son  waited  until  her  father  came,  and  then 
he  told  him  that  the  stranger  maiden  had  leapt  into  the  pigeon- 
house.  The  old  man  thought,  "  Can  it  be  Ash-Maiden? "  and 
they  had  to  bring  him  an  axe  and  a  pickaxe  that  he  might  hew 
the  pigeon-house  to  pieces,  but  no  one  was  inside  it. 

And  when  they  got  home,  Ash-Maiden  lay  in  her  dirty 
clothes  among  the  ashes,  and  a  dim  little  oil-lamp  was  burning 
on  the  mantelpiece.  For  Ash-Maiden  had  jumped  quickly 
down  from  the  back  of  the  pigeon-house,  and  had  run  to  the 
little  hazel-tree.  There  she  had  taken  off  her  beautiful  clothes 
and  laid  them  on  the  grave,  and  the  bird  had  taken  them  away 
again.  Then  she  had  placed  herself  in  the  kitchen  amongst  the 
ashes,  in  her  gray  gown. 

Next  day,  when  the  feast  began  afresh,  and  her  parents  and 
the  sisters  had  gone  once  more,  Ash-Maiden  went  to  the  hazel- 
tree,  and  said: 

"Shiver  and  quiver,  Little  Tree, 
Silver  and  gold  throw  over  me!  " 

Then  the  bird  threw  down  a  much  more  beautiful  dress  than 
on  the  preceding  day.  And  when  Ash-Maiden  appeared  at 
the  feast  in  this  dress,  every  one  was  astonished  at  her  beauty. 

The  King's  Son  had  waited  until  she  came,  and  instantly 

took  her  by  the  hand  and  danced  with  no  one  but  her.     When 

others  came  and  invited  her,  he  said,  "  She  is  my  partner." 

When  evening  arrived,  she  wished  to  leave,  and  the  King's 

[78] 


ASH-MAIDEN 

Son  followed  her,  and  wanted  to  see  into  which  house  she  went. 
But  she  sprang  away  from  him,  and  into  the  garden  hehind  the 
house.  Therein  stood  a  beautiful  tall  tree  on  which  hung  the 
most  magnificent  pears.  She  clambered,  like  a  squirrel,  so 
nimbly  between  the  branches,  that  the  King's  Son  did  not 
know  where  she  was  gone. 

lie  waited  until  her  father  came,  and  said  to  him,  "  The 
stranger-maiden  has  escaped  from  me,  and  I  believe  she  has 
climbed  up  the  pear-tree." 

The  father  thought,  "  Can  it  be  Ash-Maiden? "  and  had  an 
axe  brought  and  cut  the  tree  down,  but  no  one  was  on  it. 

And  when  they  got  into  the  kitchen,  Ash-Maiden  lay  there 
amongst  the  ashes,  as  usual,  for  she  had  jumped  down  on  the 
other  side  of  the  tree,  had  taken  the  beautiful  dress  to  the  bird 
on  the  little  hazel-tree,  and  had  put  on  her  gray  gown. 

On  the  third  day,  when  the  parents  and  sisters  had  gone 
away,  Ash-Maiden  went  once  more  to  her  mother's  grave,  and 
said  to  the  little  tree : 

"Shiver  and  quiver,  Little  Tree, 
Silver  and  gold  throw  over  me!  " 

And  now  the  bird  threw  down  to  her  a  dress  which  was  more 
splendid  and  magnificent  than  any  she  had  yet  had,  and  the 
slippers  were  golden. 

And  when  she  went  to  the  feast  in  the  dress,  no  one  knew 

how  to  speak  for  astonishment.     The  King's  Son  danced  with 

her  only,  and  if  any  one  invited  her  to  dance,  he  said,  "  She  is 

my  partner." 

When  evening  came,  Ash-Maiden  wished  to  leave,  and  the 

[79] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

King's  Son  was  anxious  to  go  with  her;  but  she  escaped  from 
him  so  quickly  that  he  could  not  follow  her.  The  King's  Son, 
however,  had  caused  the  whole  staircase  to  be  smeared  with 
pitch,  and  there,  when  she  ran  down,  had  the  maiden's  left 
slipper  remained  sticking.  The  King's  Son  picked  it  up,  and 
it  was  small  and  dainty,  and  all  golden. 

Next  morning,  he  went  with  it  to  the  father,  and  said  to  him, 
"  No  one  shall  be  my  wife,  but  she  whose  foot  this  golden  slip- 
per fits." 

Then  were  the  two  sisters  glad,  for  they  had  pretty  feet. 
The  eldest  went  with  the  shoe  into  her  room  and  wanted  to  try 
it  on,  and  her  mother  stood  by.  But  she  could  not  get  her  big 
toe  into  it,  for  the  shoe  was  too  small  for  her. 

Then  her  mother  gave  her  a  knife,  and  said,  "  Cut  the  toe 
off.  When  you  are  Queen  you  will  have  no  more  need  to  go 
on  foot." 

The  maiden  cut  the  toe  off,  forced  the  foot  into  the  shoe, 
swallowed  the  pain,  and  went  out  to  the  King's  Son.  Then 
he  took  her  on  his  horse  as  his  Bride,  and  rode  away  with  her. 
They  were,  however,  obliged  to  pass  the  grave,  and  there,  on 
the  hazel-tree,  sat  the  two  pigeons  and  cried: 

"Turn  and  peep,  turn  and  peep, 
There's  blood  within  the  shoe! 
The  shoe  it  is  too  small  for  her, 
The  true  Bride  waits  for  you!" 

Then  he  looked  at  her  foot,  and  saw  how  the  blood  was  stream- 
ing from  it.  He  turned  his  horse  round  and  took  the  false 
Bride  home  again,  and  said  she  was  not  the  true  one,  and  that 

the  other  sister  was  to  put  the  shoe  on. 

[80] 


ASH-MAIDEN 

Then  this  one  went  into  her  chamber  and  got  her  toes  safely 
into  the  shoe,  but  her  heel  was  too  large. 

So  her  mother  gave  her  a  knife,  and  said,  "  Cut  a  bit  off  your 
heel.  When  you  are  Queen  you  will  have  no  more  need  to  go 
on  foot." 

The  maiden  cut  a  bit  off  her  heel,  forced  her  foot  into  the 
shoe,  swallowed  the  pain,  and  went  out  to  the  King's  Son.  He 
took  her  on  his  horse  as  his  Bride,  and  rode  away  with  her. 
But  when  they  passed  by  the  hazel-tree,  two  little  pigeons  sat 
on  it,  and  cried: 

"Turn  and  peep,  turn  and  peep, 
There's  blood  within  the  shoe! 
The  shoe  it  is  too  small  for  her, 
The  true  Bride  waits  for  you!" 

He  looked  down  at  her  foot,  and  saw  how  the  blood  was  run- 
ning out  of  her  shoe,  and  how  it  had  stained  her  white  stocking. 
Then  he  turned  his  horse  and  took  the  false  Bride  home  again. 
"  This  also  is  not  the  right  one,"  said  he.  "  Have  you  no  other 
daughter? " 

"  No,"  said  the  man ;  "  there  is  only  a  little  stunted 
kitchen-girl  which  my  late  wife  left  behind  her,  but  she  cannot 
possibly  be  the  Bride." 

The  King's  Son  said  he  was  to  send  her  up  to  him;  but  the 
mother  answered,  "  Oh,  no,  she  is  much  too  dirty,  she  cannot 
show  herself! " 

He  insisted  on  it,  and  Ash-Maiden  had  to  be  called.     She 

first  washed  her  hands  and  face  clean,  and  then  went  and  bowed 

down  before  the  King's  Son,  who  gave  her  the  golden  shoe. 

Then  she  seated  herself  on  a  stool,  drew  her  foot  out  of  the 

[81] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

heavy  wooden  shoe,  and  put  it  into  the  slipper,  which  fitted  like 
a  glove. 

And  when  she  rose  up  and  the  King's  Son  looked  at  her  face 
he  recognized  the  beautiful  maiden  who  had  danced  with  him, 
and  cried,  "  That  is  the  true  Bride! " 

The  mother  and  the  two  sisters  were  terrified  and  became 
pale  with  rage.  He,  however,  took  Ash-Maiden  on  his  horse 
and  rode  away  with  her.  As  they  passed  by  the  hazel-tree,  the 
two  white  doves  cried: 

"Turn  and  peep,  turn  and  peep. 
No  blood  is  in  the  shoe! 
The  shoe  is  not  too  small  for  her, 
The  true  Bride  rides  with  you!" 

and  when  they  had  cried  that,  the  two  came  flying  down  and 
placed  themselves  on  Ash-Maiden's  shoulders,  one  on  the 
right,  the  other  on  the  left,  and  remained  sitting  there. 

When  the  wedding  with  the  King's  Son  had  to  be  celebrated, 
the  two  false  sisters  came  and  wanted  to  get  into  favor  with 
Ash-Maiden  and  share  her  good  fortune.  When  the  be- 
trothed couple  went  to  church,  the  elder  was  at  the  right  side 
and  the  younger  at  the  left,  and  the  pigeons  pecked  out  one 
eye  of  each  of  them.  Afterward  as  they  came  back,  the  elder 
was  at  the  left,  and  the  younger  at  the  right,  and  then  the 
pigeons  pecked  out  the  other  eye  of  each.  And  thus,  for  their 
wickedness  and  falsehood,  they  were  punished  with  blindness 
as  long  as  they  lived. 


[82] 


RPpe  ^  J-fn; 

fly1,      I^mF**  •  •  -"Ssfl-y  *<• '  t','^lr3Kv', 

f  isf'W'^  tf.    ^  W-S;?C 

^^^^**^^r^^^ 

THE  ELVES  AND  THE  SHOEMAKER 


A  SHOEMAKER,  by  no  fault  of  his  own,  had  become 
so  poor  that  at  last  he  had  nothing  left  but  leather  for 
one  pair  of  shoes.  So  in  the  evening,  he  cut  out  the 
shoes  which  he  wished  to  make  the  next  morning.  And  as  he 
had  a  good  conscience,  he  lay  down  quietly  in  his  bed,  com- 
mended himself  to  God,  and  fell  asleep. 

In  the  morning,  after  he  had  said  his  prayers,  and  was  just 
going  to  sit  down  to  work,  lo!  both  shoes  stood  all  finished  on 
his  table.  He  was  astounded,  and  did  not  know  what  to  say. 
He  took  the  shoes  in  his  hands  to  examine  them  closer,  and 
they  were  so  neatly  made  that  there  was  not  one  bad  stitch  in 
them,  just  as  if  they  were  meant  for  a  masterpiece. 

Soon  after,  a  buyer  came  in,  and  as  the  shoes  pleased  him 
well,  he  paid  more  for  them  than  was  customary.  And,  with 
the  money,  the  shoemaker  was  able  to  purchase  leather  for  two 
pairs  of  shoes. 

He  cut  them  out  at  night,  and  next  morning  was  about  to  set 
to  work  with  fresh  courage;  but  he  had  no  need  to  do  so,  for, 

when  he  got  up,  thev  were  already  made.     And  buyers  also 

[  S3  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

were  not  wanting,  who  gave  him  money  enough  to  buy  leather 
for  four  pairs  of  shoes. 

The  following  morning,  too,  he  found  the  four  pairs  made. 
And  so  it  went  on  constantly,  what  he  cut  out  in  the  evening 
was  finished  by  morning,  so  that  he  soon  had  his  honest  living 
again,  and  at  last  became  a  wealthy  man. 

Now  it  befell  that  one  evening  not  long  before  Christmas, 
when  the  man  had  been  cutting  out,  he  said  to  his  wife,  before 
going  to  bed,  "  What  think  you,  if  we  were  to  stay  up  to-night 
to  see  who  it  is  that  lends  us  this  helping  hand?  " 

The  woman  liked  the  idea,  and  lighted  a  candle,  and  then 
they  hid  themselves  in  a  corner  of  the  room,  behind  some 
clothes  which  were  hanging  there,  and  watched. 

When  it  Avas  midnight,  two  pretty  tiny  naked  Little  Men 
came,  sat  down  by  the  shoemaker's  table,  took  all  the  work 
which  was  cut  out  before  them  and  began  to  stitch,  sew,  and 
hammer  so  skilfully  and  so  quickly  with  their  little  fingers,  that 
the  shoemaker  could  not  turn  away  his  eyes  for  astonishment. 
They  did  not  stop  until  all  was  done,  and  stood  finished  on  the 
table,  and  then  they  ran  quickly  away. 

Next  morning,  the  woman  said,  "  The  Little  Men  have 
made  us  rich,  and  we  really  must  show  that  we  are  grateful 
for  it.  They  run  about  so  much,  and  have  nothing  on,  and 
must  be  cold.  I'll  tell  you  what  I'll  do.  I  will  make  them 
little  shirts,  coats,  vests,  and  trousers,  and  knit  both  of  them  a 
pair  of  stockings.  Do  you  make  them  two  little  pairs  of 
shoes." 

The  man  said,  "  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  do  it." 

And  one  night,  when  everything  was  ready,  they  laid  their 

[84] 


THE  ELVES  BEGAN  TO  STITCH,  SEW,   AND  HAMMER 


\ 


THE  ELVES  AND  THE  SHOEMAKER 

presents,  instead  of  the  cut-out  work,  all  together  on  the  table, 
and  then  concealed  themselves  to  see  how  the  Little  Men  would 
behave. 

At  midnight  they  came  bounding  in,  and  wanted  to  get  to 
work  at  once.  But  as  they  did  not  find  any  leather  cut  out, 
only  the  pretty  little  articles  of  clothing,  they  were  at  first  as- 
tonished, and  then  they  showed  intense  delight.  They  dressed 
themselves  with  the  greatest  rapidity,  putting  the  pretty 
clothes  on,  and  singing: 

"Now  we  are  boys  so  fine  to  see, 
Why  should  we  longer  cobblers  be?  " 

Then  they  danced  and  skipped  and  leapt  over  chairs  and 
benches.  At  last,  they  danced  out  of  doors.  From  that  time 
forth  they  came  no  more,  but  as  long  as  the  shoemaker  lived  all 
went  well  with  him,  and  all  his  undertakings  prospered. 


[85] 


THE  THREE  BROTHERS 


THERE  was  once  a  man  who  had  three  sons,  and  noth- 
ing else  in  the  world  but  the  house  in  which  he  lived. 
Now  each  of  the  sons  wished  to  have  the  house  after 
his  father's  death;  but  the  father  loved  them  all  alike,  and  did 
not  know  what  to  do.  He  did  not  wish  to  sell  the  house,  be- 
cause it  had  belonged  to  his  forefathers,  else  he  might  have 
divided  the  money  amongst  them. 

At  last  a  plan  came  into  his  head,  and  he  said  to  his  sons, 
"  Go  into  the  world,  and  try  each  of  you  to  learn  a  trade. 
When  you  all  come  back,  he  who  makes  the  best  masterpiece 
shall  have  the  house." 

The  sons  were  well  content  with  this,  and  the  eldest  deter- 
mined to  be  a  blacksmith,  the  second  a  barber,  and  the  third  a 
fencing-master.  They  fixed  a  time  when  they  should  all  come 
home  again,  and  then  each  went  his  way. 

It  chanced  that  they  all  found  skilful  masters,  who  taught 
them  their  trades  well.  The  blacksmith  had  to  shoe  the  King's 
horses,  and  he  thought  to  himself,  "  The  house  is  mine,  without 

doubt."    The  barber  shaved  only  great  people,  and  he  too  al- 

[86*] 


THE  THREE  BROTHERS 

ready  looked  upon  the  house  as  his  own.  The  fencing-master 
got  many  a  blow,  but  he  only  bit  his  lip,  and  let  nothing  vex 
him;  "  for,"  said  he  to  himself,  "  if  you  are  afraid  of  a  blow, 
you'll  never  win  the  house." 

When  the  appointed  time  had  gone  by,  the  three  brothers 
came  back  home  to  their  father.  But  they  did  not  know  how 
to  find  the  best  opportunity  for  showing  their  skill,  so  they  sat 
down  and  consulted  together. 

As  they  were  sitting  thus,  all  at  once  a  hare  came  running 
across  the  field.  "Ah,  ha,  just  in  time!  "  said  the  barber.  So 
he  took  his  basin  and  soap,  and  lathered  away  until  the  hare 
came  up.  Then  he  soaped  and  shaved  off  the  hare's  whiskers 
whilst  he  was  running  at  the  top  of  his  speed,  and  did  not  even 
cut  his  skin  or  injure  a  hair  on  his  body. 

"  Well  done!  "  said  the  old  man,  "  your  brothers  will  have  to 
exert  themselves  wonderfully,  or  the  house  will  be  yours." 

Soon  after,  up  came  a  nobleman  in  his  coach,  dashing  along 
at  full  speed.  "  Now  you  shall  see  what  I  can  do,  Father," 
said  the  blacksmith.  So  away  he  ran  after  the  coach,  took  all 
four  shoes  off  the  feet  of  one  of  the  horses  whilst  he  was  gallop- 
ing, and  put  on  four  new  shoes  without  stopping  him. 

"  You  are  a  fine  fellow,  and  as  clever  as  your  brother,"  said 
his  father.  "  I  do  not  know  to  which  I  ought  to  give  the 
house." 

Then  the  third  son  said,  "  Father,  let  me  have  my  turn,  if 
you  please."  And,  as  it  was  beginning  to  rain,  he  drew  his 
sword,  and  flourished  it  backward  and  forward  above  his  head 
so  fast  that  not  a  drop  fell  upon  him.    It  rained  still  harder  and 

harder,  till  at  last  it  came  down  in  torrents.    But  he  only  flour- 

[87] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

ished  his  sword  faster  and  faster,  and  remained  as  dry  as  if  he 
were  sitting  in  a  house. 

When  his  father  saw  this  he  was  amazed,  and  said,  "  This  is 
the  masterpiece,  the  house  is  yours!  " 

His  brothers  were  satisfied  with  this,  as  was  agreed  before- 
hand. And,  as  they  loved  one  another  very  much,  they  all 
three  stayed  together  in  the  house,  followed  their  trades,  and, 
as  they  had  learnt  them  so  well  and  were  so  clever,  they  earned 
a  great  deal  of  money. 

Thus  they  lived  together  happily,  until  they  grew  old.  And 
at  last,  when  one  of  them  fell  sick  and  died,  the  two  others 
grieved  so  sorely  about  it  that  they  also  fell  ill,  and  soon  after 
died.  And  because  they  had  been  so  clever,  and  had  loved  one 
another  so  much,  they  were  all  laid  in  the  same  grave. 


[88] 


LITTLE  TABLE  SET  THYSELF,  GOLD-ASS, 
AND  CUDGEL  OUT  OF  THE  SACK 

THERE  was  once  upon  a  time,  a  tailor,  who  had  three 
sons  and  only  one  goat.     But  as  the  goat  supported 
the  whole  of  them  with  her  milk,  she  was  obliged  to 
have  good  food,  and  to  be  taken  every  day  to  pasture.    The 
sons,  therefore,  did  this,  in  turn. 

Once,  the  eldest  took  her  to  the  churchyard,  where  the  finest 
herbs  were  to  be  found,  and  let  her  eat  and  run  about  there. 
At  night,  when  it  was  time  to  go  home,  he  asked,  "  Goat,  have 
you  had  enough? " 
The  goat  answered: 

"I  have  eaten  so  much, 
Not  a  leaf  more  I'll  touch, 
Ma!    Ma!" 


"  Come  home,  then,"  said  the  youth,  and  took  hold  of  the 
cord  round  her  neck,  led  her  into  the  stable  and  tied  her  up 
securely. 

"  Well,"  said  the  old  tailor,  "  has  the  goat  had  as  much  food 

as  she  ought? " 

[89] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"  Oh,"  answered  the  son,  "  she  has  eaten  so  much,  not  a  leaf 
more  she'll  touch." 

But  the  father  wished  to  satisfy  himself,  and  went  down  to 
the  stable,  stroked  the  dear  animal  and  asked,  "  Goat,  are  you 
satisfied? " 

The  goat  answered:,  . 

"With  what  should  I  be  satisfied? 
Among  the  graves  I  leapt  about, 
And  found  no  food,  so  went  without, 
Ma!    Ma!" 

"  What  do  I  hear? "  cried  the  tailor,  and  ran  up-stairs  and 
said  to  the  youth,  "  Hollo,  you  liar;  you  said  the  goat  had  had 
enough,  and  have  let  her  go  hungry !  "  and  in  his  anger,  he  took 
the  yard-measure  from  the  wall,  and  drove  him  out  with  blows. 

Next  day,  it  was  the  turn  of  the  second  son,  who  looked  out 
for  a  place  in  the  fence  of  the  garden,  where  nothing  but  good 
herbs  grew.    And  the  goat  cleared  them  all  off. 

At  night,  when  he  wanted  to  go  home,  he  asked,  "  Goat,  are 
you  satisfied? " 

The  goat  answered : 

"I  have  eaten  so  much, 
Not  a  leaf  more  I'll  touch, 
Ma!    Ma!" 

"  Come  home,  then,"  said  the  youth,  and  led  her  home  and 

tied  her  up  in  the  stable. 

"  Well,"  said  the  old  tailor,  "  has  the  goat  had  as  much  food 

as  she  ought?  " 

[90] 


LITTLE  TABLE  SET  THYSELF 

"  Oh,"  answered  the  son,  "  she  has  eaten  so  much,  not  a  leaf 
more  she'll  touch." 

The  tailor  would  not  rely  on  this,  hut  went  down  to  the  stable 
and  said,  "  Goat,  have  you  had  enough? " 

The  goat  answered : 

"With  what  should  I  be  satisfied? 
Among  the  graves  I  leapt  about, 
And  found  no  food,  so  went  without, 
Ma!    Ma!" 

"  The  godless  wretch!  "  cried  the  tailor,  "  to  let  such  a  good 
animal  go  hungry,"  and  he  ran  up  and  drove  the  youth  out  of 
doors  with  the  yard-measure. 

Now  came  the  turn  of  the  third  son,  who  wanted  to  do  the 
thing  well,  and  sought  out  some  bushes  with  the  finest  leaves, 
and  let  the  goat  devour  them. 

In  the  evening  when  he  wanted  to  go  home,  he  asked,  "  Goat, 
have  you  had  enough?  " 

The  goat  answered : 

"I  have  eaten  so  much, 
Not  a  leaf  more  I'll  touch, 
Ma!    Ma!" 


«( 


Come  home,  then,"  said  the  youth,  and  led  her  into  the 

stable,  and  tied  her  up. 

"  Well,"  said  the  old  tailor,  "  has  the  goat  had  a  proper 

amount  of  food? " 

"  She  has  eaten  so  much,  not  a  leaf  more  she'll  touch." 
The  tailor  did  not  trust  to  that,  but  went  down  and  asked, 

"  Goat,  have  you  had  enough?  " 

The  wicked  beast  answered: 

[91] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"With  what  should  I  be  satisfied? 
Among  the  graves  I  leapt  about, 
And  found  no  leaves,  so  went  without, 
Ma!    Ma!" 


<c 


Oh,  the  brood  of  liars ! "  cried  the  tailor,  "  each  as  wicked 
and  forgetful  of  his  duty  as  the  other!  Ye  shall  no  longer 
make  a  fool  of  me,"  and,  quite  beside  himself  with  anger,  he 
ran  up-stairs  and  belabored  the  poor  young  fellow  so  vigor- 
ously with  the  yard-measure  that  he  sprang  out  of  the  house. 

The  old  tailor  was  now  alone  with  his  goat.  Next  morning 
he  went  down  into  the  stable,  caressed  the  goat  and  said, 
"  Come,  my  dear  little  animal,  I  myself  will  take  you  to  feed." 

He  took  her  by  the  rope  and  conducted  her  to  green  hedges, 
and  amongst  milfoil,  and  whatever  else  goats  like  to  eat. 
"  There  you  may  for  once  eat  to  your  heart's  content,"  said  he 
to  her,  and  let  her  browse  till  evening. 

Then  he  asked,  "  Goat,  are  you  satisfied?  "    She  replied: 

"7  have  eaten  so  much, 
Not  a  leaf  more  I'll  touch, 
Ma!    Ma!" 

"  Come  home,  then,"  said  the  tailor,  and  led  her  into  the 
stable,  and  tied  her  fast. 

When  he  was  going  away,  he  turned  round  again  and  said, 
"  Well,  are  you  satisfied  for  once?  " 

But  the  goat  did  not  behave  better  to  him,  and  cried: 

"With  what  should  I  be  satisfied? 
Among  the  graves  I  leapt  about, 
And  found  no  leaves,  so  went  without, 
Ma!    Ma!" 
[92] 


LITTLE  TABLE  SET  THYSELF 

When  the  tailor  heard  that,  he  was  shocked,  and  saw  clearly 
that  he  had  driven  away  his  three  sons  without  cause.  "  Wait, 
you  ungrateful  creature,"  cried  he,  "  it  is  not  enough  to  drive 
you  forth,  I  will  mark  you  so  that  you  will  no  more  dare  to 
show  yourself  amongst  honest  tailors!  " 

In  great  haste,  he  ran  up-stairs,  fetched  his  razor,  lathered 
the  goat's  head,  and  shaved  her  as  clean  as  the  palm  of  his 
hand.  And  as  the  yard-measure  would  have  been  too  good  for 
her,  he  brought  the  horsewhip,  and  gave  her  such  cuts  with  it 
that  she  ran  away  with  mighty  leaps. 

When  the  tailor  was  thus  left  quite  alone  in  his  house,  he  fell 
into  great  grief,  and  would  gladly  have  had  his  sons  back  again. 
But  no  one  knew  whither  they  were  gone. 

The  eldest  had  apprenticed  himself  to  a  joiner,  and  learnt 
industriously  and  unweariedly,  and  when  the  time  came  for  him 
to  go  on  his  travels,  his  master  presented  him  with  a  little  table 
which  had  no  unusual  appearance,  and  was  made  of  common 
wood.  But  it  had  one  good  property;  if  any  one  put  it  down, 
and  said: 

"Little  Table! 
Set  thyself!" 

the  good  Little  Table  was  at  once  covered  with  a  clean  little 

cloth.    And  a  plate  was  there,  and  a  knife  and  fork  beside  it, 

and  dishes  with  boiled  meats  and  roasted  meats,  as  many  as 

there  was  room  for,  and  a  great  glass  of  red  wine  shone  so  that 

it  made  the  heart  glad. 

The  young   journeyman   thought,    "  With   this   you   have 

enough  for  your  whole  life!"  and  went  joyously  about  the 

world,  and  never  troubled  himself  whether  an  inn  was  good  or 

[93] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

bad,  or  if  anything  was  to  be  found  in  it  or  not.  When  it  suited 
him  he  did  not  enter  an  inn  at  all,  but  either  in  the  plain,  a 
wood,  a  meadow,  or  wherever  he  fancied,  he  took  his  Little 
Table  off  his  back,  set  it  down  before  him,  and  said: 

"Little  Table! 
Set  thyself!" 

and  then  everything  appeared  that  his  heart  desired. 

At  length,  he  took  it  into  his  head  to  go  back  to  his  father, 
whose  anger  would  now  be  appeased,  and  who  would  now  will- 
ingly receive  him  with  his  Wishing-Table.  It  came  to  pass 
that  on  his  way  home,  he  arrived,  one  evening,  at  an  inn  which 
was  filled  with  guests.  They  bade  him  welcome,  and  invited 
him  to  sit  and  eat  with  them,  for  otherwise  he  would  have  diffi- 
culty in  getting  anything. 

"  No,"  answered  the  joiner,  "  I  will  not  take  the  few  bites 
out  of  your  mouths.  Rather  than  that,  you  shall  be  my 
guests." 

They  laughed,  and  thought  he  was  joking.  He,  however, 
placed  his  wooden  Little  Table  in  the  middle  of  the  room,  and 
said: 

"Little  Table! 
Set  thyself!" 

Instantly  it  was  covered  with  food,  so  good  that  the  host  could 
never  have  procured  it,  and  the  smell  of  it  arose  pleasantly  to 
the  noses  of  the  guests. 

"  Fall  to,  dear  Friends,"  said  the  joiner. 

And  the  guests,  when  they  saw  that  he  meant  it,  did  not  need 

to  be  asked  twice,  but  drew  near,  pulled  out  their  knives  and 

[94] 


LITTLE  TABLE  SET  THYSELF 

attacked  it  valiantly.  And  what  surprised  them  most,  was  that 
when  a  dish  became  empty,  a  full  one  instantly  took  its  place. 
The  innkeeper  stood  in  one  corner  and  watched  the  doings. 
Tie  did  not  know  what  to  say,  but  thought,  "  I  could  easily 
find  use  for  such  a  cook  as  that  in  my  kitchen." 

The  joiner  and  his  comrades  made  merry  until  late  into  the 
night.  At  length  they  lay  down  to  sleep,  and  the  young  ap- 
prentice also  went  to  bed,  and  set  his  Magic  Table  against  the 
wall. 

The  host's  thoughts,  however,  let  him  have  no  rest.  It  oc- 
curred to  him  that  there  was  a  little  old  table  in  his  lumber- 
room,  which  looked  just  like  the  apprentice's.  And  he  brought 
it  out  quite  softly,  and  exchanged  it  for  the  Wishing-Table. 

Next  morning,  the  joiner  paid  for  his  bed,  took  up  his  table, 
never  thinking  that  he  had  got  a  false  one,  and  went  his  way. 

At  midday,  he  reached  his  father,  who  received  him  with 
great  joy.  "Well,  my  dear  son,  what  have  you  learnt? "  said 
he  to  him. 

Father,  I  have  become  a  joiner." 

A  good  trade,"  replied  the  old  man;  "  but  what  have  you 
brought  back  with  you  from  your  apprenticeship?  " 

"  Father,  the  best  thing  which  I  have  brought  back  with  me 
is  this  Little  Table." 

The  tailor  examined  it  on  all  sides  and  said,  "  You  did  not 
make  a  masterpiece,  when  you  made  that.  It  is  a  bad  old 
table." 

"  But  it  is  a  table  which  furnishes  itself,"  replied  the  son. 
"  When  I  put  it  down,  and  tell  it  to  set  itself,  the  most  beauti- 
ful dishes  stand  on  it,  and  a  wine  also  which  gladdens  the 

[95] 


« 


a 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

heart.  Just  invite  all  our  relations  and  friends.  They  shall 
refresh  and  enjoy  themselves  for  once,  for  the  table  will  give 
them  all  they  require." 

When  the  company  was  assembled,  he  put  his  table  in  the 
middle  of  the  room  and  said : 

"Little  Table! 
Set  thyself!" 

but  the  little  table  did  not  bestir  itself,  and  remained  just  as 
bare  as  any  other  table  which  did  not  understand  language. 
Then  the  poor  apprentice  became  aware  that  his  table  had  been 
changed,  and  was  ashamed  at  having  to  stand  there  like  a  liar. 

The  relations,  however,  mocked  him,  and  were  forced  to  go 
home  without  having  eaten  or  drunk.  The  father  brought  out 
his  patches,  and  began  to  tailor  again,  but  the  son  went  to  a 
master  in  the  craft. 

The  second  son  had  gone  to  a  miller  and  had  apprenticed 
himself  to  him.  When  his  years  were  over,  the  master  said, 
"  As  you  have  conducted  yourself  so  well,  I  give  you  an  Ass  of 
a  peculiar  kind,  which  neither  draws  a  cart  nor  carries  a  sack." 

"  To  what  use  is  he  put,  then?  "  asked  the  young  apprentice. 

"  He  lets  gold  drop  from  his  mouth,"  answered  the  miller. 
"  If  you  set  him  on  a  cloth,  and  say: 

"  'Bricklebrit!' 

the  good  animal  will  drop  gold  pieces  for  you." 

"  That  is  a  fine  thing,"  said  the  apprentice,  and  thanked  the 

master,  and  went  out  into  the  world.    When  he  had  need  of 

gold,  he  had  only  to  say : 

"Bricklebrit!" 
[96] 


LITTLE  TABLE  SET  THYSELF, 

to  his  Ass,  and  it  rained  gold  pieces,  and  he  had  nothing  to  do 
but  pick  them  off  the  ground.  Wheresoever  he  went,  the  best 
of  everything  was  good  enough  for  him,  and  the  dearer  the 
better,  for  he  had  always  a  full  purse. 

When  he  had  looked  about  the  world  for  some  time,  he 
thought,  "  You  must  seek  out  your  father;  if  you  go  to  him 
with  the  Gold- Ass,  he  will  forget  his  anger,  and  receive  you 
well." 

It  came  to  pass,  that  he  reached  the  same  public-house  in 
which  his  brother's  table  had  been  exchanged.  He  led  his  Ass 
by  the  bridle,  and  the  host  was  about  to  take  the  animal  from 
him  to  tie  him  up,  but  the  young  apprentice  said,  "  Don't  trou- 
ble yourself.  I  will  take  my  gray  horse  into  the  stable,  and  tie 
him  up  myself,  for  I  must  know  where  he  stands." 

This  struck  the  host  as  odd,  and  he  thought  that  a  man  who 
was  forced  to  look  after  his  Ass  himself,  could  not  have  much 
to  spend.  But  when  the  stranger  put  his  hand  in  his  pocket 
and  brought  out  two  gold  pieces,  and  said  he  was  to  provide 
something  good  for  him,  the  host  opened  his  eyes  wide,  and  ran 
and  sought  out  the  best  he  could  muster. 

After  dinner,  the  guest  asked  what  he  owed.  The  host  did 
not  see  why  he  should  not  double  the  reckoning,  and  said  the 
apprentice  must  give  two  more  gold  pieces. 

He  felt  in  his  pocket,  but  his  gold  was  just  at  an  end. 
"  Wait  an  instant,  sir  host,"  said  he,  "  I  will  go  and  fetch  some 
money ;  "  but  he  took  the  tablecloth  with  him. 

The  host  could  not  imagine  what  this  could  mean,  and  being 

curious,  stole  after  him,  and  as  the  guest  bolted  the  stable-door, 

he  peeped  through  a  hole  left  by  a  knot  in  the  wood. 

[97] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

The  stranger  spread  out  the  cloth  under  the  animal  and 
cried : 


1 Bricklehrit ! 


>> 


and  immediately  the  beast  began  to  let  gold  pieces  fall,  so  that 
it  fairly  rained  down  money  on  the  ground. 

"  Eh,  my  word!  "  said  the  host,  "  ducats  are  quickly  coined 
there!    A  purse  like  that  is  not  amiss." 

The  guest  paid  his  score,  and  went  to  bed,  but  in  the  night 
the  host  stole  down  into  the  stable,  led  away  the  master  of  the 
mint,  and  tied  up  another  ass  in  his  place.  Early  next  morn- 
ing, the  apprentice  went  away  with  the  ass,  and  thought  that 
he  had  his  Gold- Ass. 

At  midday  he  reached  his  father,  who  rejoiced  to  see  him 
again,  and  gladly  took  him  in.  "  What  have  you  made  of  your- 
self, my  Son? "  asked  the  old  man. 

"  A  miller,  dear  Father,"  he  answered. 

"  What  have  you  brought  back  with  you  from  your  travels?  " 

"  Nothing  else  but  an  ass." 

"  There  are  asses  enough  here,"  said  the  father.  "  I  would 
rather  have  had  a  good  goat." 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  son,  "  but  it  is  no  common  ass,  but  a 
Gold-Ass.    When  I  say: 

"  ' Bricklehrit !' 

the  good  beast  opens  its  mouth  and  drops  a  whole  sheetful  of 

gold  pieces.    Just  summon  all  our  relations  hither,  and  I  will 

make  them  rich  folk." 

"  That  suits  me  well,"  said  the  tailor,  "  for  then  I  shall  have 

[98  1 


LITTLE  TABLE  SET  THYSELF 

no  need  to  torment  myself  any  longer  with  the  needle;  "  and  he 
ran  out  and  called  the  relations  together. 

As  soon  as  they  were  assembled,  the  miller  bade  them  make 
way,  spread  out  his  cloth,  and  brought  the  ass  into  the  room. 
"  Now  watch,"  said  he,  and  cried: 

"Bricklebritl" 
but  no  gold  pieces  fell,  and  it  was  clear  that  the  animal  knew 
nothing  of  the  art,  for  every  ass  does  not  attain  such  perfection. 

Then  the  poor  miller  pulled  a  long  face,  saw  that  he  was 
betrayed,  and  begged  pardon  of  the  relatives,  who  went  home 
as  poor  as  they  came.  There  was  no  help  for  it,  the  old  man 
had  to  betake  him  to  his  needle  once  more,  and  the  youth  hired 
himself  to  a  miller. 

The  third  brother  had  apprenticed  himself  to  a  turner,  and 
as  that  is  skilled  labor,  he  was  the  longest  in  learning.  His 
brothers,  however,  told  him  in  a  letter  how  badly  things  had 
gone  with  them,  and  how  the  innkeeper  had  cheated  them  of 
their  beautiful  wishing-gifts  on  the  last  evening  before  they 
reached  home. 

When  the  turner  had  served  his  time,  and  had  to  set  out  on 
his  travels,  as  he  had  conducted  himself  so  well,  his  master  pre- 
sented him  with  a  sack,  and  said,  "  There  is  a  Cudgel  in  it." 

"  I  can  put  on  the  sack,"  said  he,  "  and  it  may  be  of  good 
service  to  me,  but  why  should  the  Cudgel  be  in  it?  It  only 
makes  it  heavy." 

"  I  will  tell  you  why,"  replied  the  master;  "  if  any  one  has 

done  anything  to  injure  you,  do  but  say: 

"  'Cudgel! 

Out  of  the  sack!' 
[99] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

and  the  Cudgel  will  leap  forth  among  the  people,  and  play- 
such  a  dance  on  their  backs,  that  they  will  not  be  able  to  stir 
or  move  for  a  week,  and  it  will  not  leave  off  until  you  say: 

"'Cudgell 

Into  the  sack!'  " 

The  apprentice  thanked  him,  put  the  sack  on  his  back,  and 
when  any  one  came  too  near  him,  and  wished  to  attack  him,  he 

said: 

"Cudgel! 
Out  of  the  sack!" 

and  instantly  the  Cudgel  sprang  out,  and  dusted  the  coat  or 
jacket  of  one  after  the  other  on  their  backs,  and  never  stopped 
until  it  had  stripped  it  off  them.  And  it  was  done  so  quickly, 
that  before  any  one  was  aware,  it  was  already  his  own  turn. 

In  the  evening,  the  young  turner  reached  the  inn  where  his 
brothers  had  been  cheated.  He  laid  his  sack  on  the  table  before 
him,  and  began  to  talk  of  all  the  wonderful  things  which  he  had 
seen  in  the  world.  "  Yes,"  said  he,  "  people  may  easily  find  a 
Little  Table  which  will  cover  itself,  a  Gold-Ass,  and  things  of 
that  kind — extremely  good  things  which  I  by  no  means  despise 
— but  these  are  nothing  in  comparison  with  the  treasure  which 
I  have  won  for  myself,  and  am  carrying  about  with  me  in  my 
sack  there." 

The  innkeeper  pricked  up  his  ears.    "  What  in  the  world  can 

that  be?  "  thought  he.    "  The  sack  must  be  filled  with  nothing 

but  jewels.    I  ought  to  get  them  cheap  too,  for  all  good  things 

go  in  threes." 

When  it  was  time  for  sleep,  the  guest  stretched  himself  on 

[100] 


LITTLE  TABLE  SET  THYSELF 

the  bench,  and  laid  his  sack  beneath  him  for  a  pillow.  When 
the  innkeeper  thought  his  guest  was  lying  in  a  sound  sleep,  he 
went  to  him  and  pushed  and  pulled  quite  gently  and  carefully 
at  the  sack  to  see  if  he  could  possibly  draw  it  away  and  lay 
another  in  its  place.  The  turner  had,  however,  been  waiting 
for  this  for  a  long  time;  and  now,  just  as  the  innkeeper  was 
about  to  give  a  hearty  tug,  he  cried: 

"Cudgel! 
Out  of  the  sack!" 

Instantly  the  little  Cudgel  came  forth,  and  fell  on  the  inn- 
keeper, and  gave  him  a  sound  thrashing. 

The  host  cried  for  mercy.  But  the  louder  he  cried,  so  much 
the  more  heavily  the  Cudgel  beat  time  on  his  back,  until  at 
length  he  fell  to  the  ground  exhausted. 

Then  the  turner  said,  "  If  you  do  not  give  back  the  Little 
Table  that  sets  itself,  and  the  Gold- Ass,  the  dance  shall  begin 
afresh." 

"  Oh,  no,"  cried  the  host,  quite  humbly,  "  I  will  gladly  bring 
out  everything,  only  make  the  accursed  Kobold  creep  back  into 
the  sack! " 

Then  said  the  apprentice,  "  I  will  let  mercy  take  the  place 
of  justice,  but  beware  of  getting  into  mischief  again!  "  So  he 
cried: 

"Cudgel! 

Into  the  sack!" 

and  let  him  have  rest. 

Next  morning,  the  turner  went  home  to  his  father  with  the 

Wishing-Table,  and  the  Gold- Ass.    The  tailor  rejoiced  when 

[  101  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

he  saw  him  once  more,  and  asked  him  likewise  what  he  had 
learned  in  foreign  parts. 

"  Dear  Father,"  said  he,  "  I  have  become  a  turner." 

"  A  skilled  trade,"  said  the  father.  "  What  have  you 
brought  back  with  you  from  your  travels  ?  " 

"  A  precious  thing,  dear  Father,"  replied  the  son,  "  a  Cudgel 
in  the  sack." 

"  What!  "  cried  the  father,  "  a  Cudgel!  That's  worth  your 
trouble,  indeed!  From  every  tree  you  can  cut  one  for  your- 
self." 

"  But  not  one  like  this,  dear  Father.    If  I  say: 

"'Cudgel! 

Out  of  the  sack!' 

the  Cudgel  springs  out  and  leads  any  one,  who  means  ill  by  me, 
a  weary  dance,  and  never  stops  until  he  lies  on  the  ground  and 
prays  for  fair  weather.  Look  you,  with  this  Cudgel  have  I  got 
back  the  Wishing-Table  and  the  Gold-Ass,  which  the  thievish 
innkeeper  took  away  from  my  brothers.  Now  let  them  both 
be  sent  for,  and  invite  all  our  kinsmen.  I  will  give  them  to 
eat  and  to  drink,  and  will  fill  their  pockets  with  gold  into  the 
bargain." 

The  old  tailor  would  not  quite  believe,  but  nevertheless  got 
the  relatives  together.  Then  the  turner  spread  a  cloth  in  the 
room,  and  led  in  the  Gold-Ass,  and  said  to  his  brother,  "  Now, 
dear  Brother,  speak  to  him." 

The  miller  said: 

"Bricklebrit!" 

and  instantly  the  gold  pieces  fell  down  on  the  cloth  like  a 

[102] 


LITTLE  TABLE  SET  THYSELF 

thunder-shower,  and  the  Ass  did  not  stop  until  every  one  of 
them  had  so  much  that  he  could  carry  no  more.  (I  can  see  in 
your  face  that  you  also  would  have  liked  to  be  there!) 

Then  the  turner  brought  the  Little  Table,  and  said,  "  Now, 
dear  Brother,  speak  to  it."     And  scarcely  had  the  carpenter 

said: 

"Little  Table! 
Set  thyself!" 

than  it  was  spread,  and  covered  with  the  most  exquisite  dishes. 
Then  such  a  meal  took  place  as  the  good  tailor  had  never  yet 
known  in  his  house.  The  whole  party  of  kinsmen  stayed  to- 
gether till  far  in  the  night,  and  were  all  meny  and  glad.  The 
tailor  locked  away  needle  and  thread,  yard-measure  and  goose, 
in  a  press,  and  lived  with  his  three  sons  in  joy  and  splendor. 

What,  however,  has  become  of  the  goat,  who  was  to  blame 
for  the  tailor  driving  out  his  three  sons?    That  I  will  tell  you. 

She  was  ashamed  that  she  had  a  bald  head,  and  ran  to  a 
fox's  hole  and  crept  into  it.  When  the  fox  came  home,  he  was 
met  by  two  great  eyes  shining  out  of  the  darkness,  and  was 
terrified  and  ran  away.  A  bear  met  him,  and  as  the  fox  looked 
quite  disturbed,  he  said,  "  What  is  the  matter  with  you, 
brother  Fox,  why  do  you  look  like  that?  " 

"  Ah,"  answered  Redskin,  "  a  fierce  beast  is  in  my  cave  and 
stared  at  me  with  its  fiery  eyes." 

"  We  will  soon  drive  him  out,"  said  the  bear,  and  went  with 

him  to  the  cave  and  looked  in.    But  when  he  saw  the  fiery  eyes, 

fear  seized  him  likewise.    He  would  have  nothing  to  do  with 

the  furious  beast,  and  took  to  his  heels. 

The  bee  met  him,  and  as  she  saw  that  he  was  ill  at  ease,  she 

[103] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

said,  "  Bear,  you  are  really  pulling  a  very  pitiful  face.  What 
has  become  of  all  your  jollity?  " 

"  It  is  all  very  well  for  you  to  talk,"  replied  the  bear,  "  a 
furious  beast  with  staring  eyes  is  in  Redskin's  house,  and  we 
can't  drive  him  out." 

The  bee  said,  "  Bear,  I  pity  you!  I  am  a  poor  weak  crea- 
ture, whom  you  would  not  turn  aside  to  look  at.  Yet  I  believe 
I  can  help  you."  She  flew  into  the  fox's  cave,  lighted  on  the 
goat's  clean,  shaved  head,  and  stung  her  so  hard  that  she  sprang 
up  crying,  "  Ma!  ma! "  and  ran  forth  into  the  world  like  mad; 
and  to  this  hour  no  one  knows  where  she  has  gone. 


[104] 


IRON  JOHN 


ONCE  on  a  time  there  was  a  King  who  had  a  great 
forest  near  his  palace,  full  of  all  kinds  of  wild  animals. 
One  day  he  sent  out  a  huntsman  to  shoot  him  a  roe,  but 
he  did  not  come  back. 

"  Perhaps  some  accident  has  befallen  him,"  said  the  King, 
and  the  next  day  he  sent  out  two  more  huntsmen  who  were  to 
search  for  him,  but  they  too  stayed  away. 

Then  on  the  third  day,  he  sent  for  all  his  huntsmen,  and 
said,  "  Scour  the  whole  forest  through,  and  do  not  give  up 
until  ye  have  found  all  three."  But  of  these  also,  none  came 
home  again,  and  of  the  pack  of  hounds  which  they  had  taken 
with  them,  none  were  seen  more. 

From  that  time  forth,  no  one  would  any  longer  venture  into 

the  forest,  and  it  lay  in  deep  stillness  and  solitude.     Nothing 

was  seen  but  sometimes  an  eagle  or  a  hawk  flying  over  it.    This 

lasted  for  many  years,  when  a  strange  huntsman  came  to  the 

King  asking  for  work,  and  offered  to  go  into  the  dangerous 

forest.    The  King,  however,  would  not  give  his  consent,  and 

[105] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

said,  "  It  is  not  safe  in  there.  I  fear  it  would  fare  with  you  no 
better  than  with  the  others,  and  you  would  never  come  out 
again." 

The  huntsman  replied,  "  Lord,  I  will  venture  it  at  my  own 
risk;  of  fear  I  know  nothing." 

The  huntsman  therefore  betook  himself  with  his  dog  to  the 
forest.  It  was  not  long  before  the  dog  fell  in  with  some  game, 
and  wanted  to  pursue  it.  But  hardly  had  the  dog  run  two 
steps  when  he  stood  before  a  deep  pool  and  could  go  no  farther. 
Then  a  naked  arm  stretched  itself  out  of  the  water,  seized  him, 
and  drew  him  under. 

When  the  huntsman  saw  that,  he  went  back  and  fetched 
three  men  to  come  with  buckets  and  bale  out  the  water.  When 
they  could  see  the  bottom,  there  lay  a  Wild  Man  whose  body 
was  brown  like  rusty  iron,  and  whose  hair  hung  over  his  face 
down  to  his  knees.  They  bound  him  with  cords,  and  led  him 
away  to  the  castle. 

There  was  great  astonishment  over  the  Wild  Man.  The 
King  had  him  put  in  an  iron  cage  in  his  courtyard,  and  for- 
bade the  door  to  be  opened  on  pain  of  death,  and  the  Queen 
herself  was  to  take  the  key  into  her  keeping.  And  from  this 
time  forth,  every  one  could  once  more  go  into  the  forest  with 
safety. 

The  King  had  a  son,  eight  years  old,  who  one  day  was  play- 
ing in  the  courtyard,  and  while  he  was  playing,  his  golden 
ball  fell  into  the  cage.  The  boy  ran  thither  and  said,  "  Give  me 
my  ball." 

"  Not  till  you  have  opened  the  door  for  me,"  answered  the 

man. 

[106] 


IRON  JOHN 

"  No,"  said  the  boy,  "  I  will  not  do  that.  The  King  has 
forbidden  it,"  and  ran  away. 

The  next  day  he  again  went  and  asked  for  his  ball.  The 
Wild  Man  said,  "  Open  my  door,"  but  the  boy  would  not. 

On  the  third  day  when  the  King  had  ridden  out  hunting, 
the  boy  went  once  more  and  said,  "  I  cannot  open  the  door  even 
if  I  wished,  for  I  have  not  the  key." 

Then  the  Wild  Man  said,  "  It  lies  under  your  mother's  pil- 
low.   You  can  get  it  there." 

The  boy,  who  wanted  to  have  his  ball  back,  cast  all  thought 
to  the  winds,  and  brought  the  key.  The  door  opened  with 
difficulty,  and  the  boy  pinched  his  fingers.  When  it  was  open, 
the  Wild  Man  stepped  out,  gave  him  the  golden  ball,  and 
hurried  away. 

But  the  boy  was  afraid.  He  called  and  cried  after  him, 
"  Oh,  Wild  Man,  do  not  go  away,  or  I  shall  be  beaten !  " 

The  Wild  Man  turned  back,  took  him  up,  set  him  on  his 
shoulder,  and  went  with  hasty  steps  into  the  forest. 

When  the  King  came  home,  he  saw  the  empty  cage,  and 
asked  the  Queen  how  that  had  happened.  She  knew  nothing 
about  it,  and  sought  the  key,  but  it  was  gone.  She  called  the 
boj%  but  no  one  answered.  The  King  sent  out  people  to  seek 
for  him  in  the  fields,  but  they  did  not  find  him.  Then  he  could 
easily  guess  what  had  happened,  and  much  grief  reigned  in  the 
Royal  Court. 

When  the  Wild  Man  had  reached  once  more  the  dark  forest, 
he  took  the  boy  down  from  his  shoulder,  and  said  to  him,  "  You 
will  never  see  your  father  and  mother  again,  but  I  will  keep 

you  with  me  for  you  have  set  me  free,  and  I  pity  you.    If  you 

[107] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

do  all  I  bid  you,  you  shall  fare  well.  Of  treasure  and  gold  have 
I  enough,  and  more  than  any  one  in  the  world." 

He  made  a  bed  of  moss  for  the  boy  on  which  he  slept.  And 
the  next  morning,  the  man  took  him  to  a  well,  and  said,  "  Be- 
hold, the  gold  well  is  as  bright  and  clear  as  crystal ;  you  shall  sit 
beside  it,  and  take  care  that  nothing  falls  into  it,  or  it  will  be 
polluted.  I  will  come  every  evening  to  see  if  you  have  obeyed 
my  order." 

The  boy  placed  himself  by  the  margin  of  the  well,  and  often 
saw  a  golden  fish  or  a  golden  snake  show  itself  therein,  and  he 
took  care  that  nothing  fell  in.  As  he  was  sitting  thus,  his  finger 
hurt  him  so  violently  that  without  thinking  he  put  it  in  the 
water.  He  drew  it  quickly  out  again,  but  saw  that  it  was  quite 
gilded.  And  whatsoever  pains  he  took  to  wash  the  gold  off 
again,  all  was  to  no  purpose. 

In  the  evening,  Iron  John  came  back,  looked  at  the  boy,  and 
said,  "  What  has  happened  to  the  well?  " 

"  Nothing,  nothing,"  he  answered,  and  held  his  finger  behind 
his  back,  that  the  man  might  not  see  it. 

But  he  said,  "  You  have  dipped  your  finger  into  the  water. 
This  time  it  may  pass,  but  take  care  you  do  not  again  let  any- 
thing get  in." 

At  daybreak  the  boy  was  already  sitting  by  the  well  and 
watching  it.  His  finger  hurt  him  again,  and  he  passed  it  over 
his  head,  and  then  unhappily  a  hair  fell  down  into  the  well. 
He  took  it  quickly  out,  but  it  was  quite  gilded. 

Iron  John  came,  and  already  knew  what  had  happened. 
"  You  have  let  a  hair  fall  into  the  well,"  said  he.    "  I  will  allow 

you  to  watch  by  it  once  more,  but  if  this  happens  the  third 

[108] 


IRON  JOHN 

time,  then  the  well  will  be  polluted,  and  you  can  no  longer  re- 
main with  me." 

On  the  third  day,  the  boy  sat  by  the  well,  and  did  not  stir  his 
finger,  however  much  it  hurt  him.  But  the  time  was  long  to 
him,  and  he  looked  at  the  reflection  of  his  face  on  the  surface 
of  the  water.  And  as  he  still  bent  down  more  and  more  trying 
to  look  straight  into  the  eyes,  his  long  hair  fell  down  from  his 
shoulders  into  the  water.  He  raised  himself  up  quickly,  but 
the  whole  of  the  hair  of  his  head  was  golden,  and  shone  like  the 
sun. 

You  may  imagine  how  terrified  the  poor  boy  was !  He  took 
his  pocket-handkerchief  and  tied  it  round  his  head,  in  order 
that  the  man  might  not  see  it. 

When  he  came,  he  already  knew  everything,  and  said, 
"  Take  off  the  handkerchief."  Then  the  golden  hair  streamed 
forth,  and  let  the  boy  excuse  himself  as  he  might,  it  was  of  no 
use.  "  You  have  not  stood  the  trial,  and  can  no  longer  stay 
here.  Go  forth  into  the  world.  There  you  will  learn  what 
poverty  is.  But  as  you  have  not  a  bad  heart,  and  as  I  mean 
well  by  you,  there  is  one  thing  I  will  grant  you.  If  you  fall 
into  any  difficulty,  come  to  the  forest  and  cry,  '  Iron  John,' 
and  then  I  will  come  and  help  you.  My  power  is  great, 
greater  than  you  think,  and  I  have  gold  and  silver  in  abun- 
dance." 

Then  the  King's  Son  left  the  forest,  and  walked  by  beaten 
and  unbeaten  paths  ever  onward,  until  at  length  he  reached  a 
great  city.  There  he  looked  for  work,  but  could  find  none,  and 
he  had  learnt  nothing  by  which  he  could  help  himself. 

At  length,  he  went  to  the  palace,  and  asked  if  they  would 

[  109  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

take  him  in.  The  people  about  Court  did  not  know  what  use 
to  make  of  him,  but  they  liked  him,  and  told  him  to  stay.  At 
last,  the  cook  took  him  into  his  service,  and  said  he  might  carry 
wood  and  water,  and  rake  the  cinders  together. 

Once  when  it  happened  that  no  one  else  was  at  hand,  the 
cook  ordered  him  to  carry  the  food  to  the  royal  table,  but  as 
he  did  not  like  to  let  his  golden  hair  be  seen,  he  kept  his  little 
hat  on.  Such  a  thing  as  that  had  never  come  under  the  King's 
notice,  and  he  said,  "  When  you  serve  at  the  royal  table  you 
must  take  off  your  hat." 

He  answered,  "  Ah,  Lord,  I  cannot." 

Then  the  King  had  the  cook  called  before  him.  He  scolded 
him,  and  asked  how  he  could  take  such  a  boy  as  that  into  his 
service ;  and  said  that  he  was  to  turn  him  off  at  once.  The  cook, 
however,  had  pity  on  him,  and  exchanged  him  for  the  gar- 
dener's boy. 

And  now,  the  boy  had  to  plant  and  water  the  garden,  hoe 
and  dig,  and  bear  the  wind  and  bad  weather. 

One  day  in  summer  when  he  was  working  alone  in  the  gar- 
den, the  day  was  so  warm  he  took  his  little  hat  off  that  the  air 
might  cool  him.  As  the  sun  shone  on  his  hair  it  glittered  and 
flashed  so  that  the  rays  fell  into  the  bedroom  of  the  King's 
Daughter.  Up  she  sprang  to  see  what  it  could  be.  Then  she 
saw  the  boy,  and  cried  to  him,  "  Boy,  bring  me  a  wreath  of 
flowers." 

He  put  his  hat  on  with  all  haste,  and  gathered  wild  field- 
flowers  and  bound  them  together.  When  he  was  ascending  the 
stairs  with  them,  the  gardener  met  him,  and  said,  "  How  can 

you  take  the  King's  Daughter  a  garland  of  such  common  flow- 

[110] 


THE  KING'S  DAUGHTER  PULLED  OFF  HIS  HAT 


IRON  JOHN 

ers?    Go  quickly,  and  get  another,  and  seek  out  the  prettiest 
and  rarest." 

'  Oh,  no,"  replied  the  boy,  "  the  wild  ones  have  more  scent, 
and  will  please  her  better." 

When  he  went  into  the  room,  the  King's  Daughter  said, 
1  Take  your  cap  off,  it  is  not  seemly  to  keep  it  on  in  my  pres- 


ence." 


He  again  said,  "  I  cannot." 

She,  however,  caught  at  his  hat  and  pulled  it  off,  and  then 
his  golden  hair  rolled  down  on  his  shoulders.  And  it  was 
splendid  to  behold. 

He  wanted  to  run  out,  but  she  held  him  by  the  arm,  and  gave 
him  a  handful  of  ducats.  With  these  he  departed,  but  he  cared 
nothing  for  the  gold  pieces.  He  took  them  to  the  gardener, 
and  said,  "  I  give  them  to  your  children,  they  may  play  with 
them." 

The  following  day,  the  King's  Daughter  again  called  to 
him  that  he  was  to  bring  her  a  wreath  of  field-flowers.  When 
he  went  in  with  it,  she  snatched  at  his  hat,  and  wanted  to  take 
it  away  from  him,  but  he  held  it  fast  with  both  hands.  She 
again  gave  him  a  handful  of  ducats.  But  he  would  not  keep 
them,  and  presented  them  to  the  gardener  as  playthings  for  his 
children. 

On  the  third  day,  things  went  just  the  same.  She  could  not 
get  his  hat  away  from  him,  and  he  would  not  have  her  money. 

Not  long  afterward,  the  country  was  overrun  by  war.  The 
King  gathered  together  his  people,  and  did  not  know  whether 
or  not  he  could  overcome  the  enemy,  who  was  superior  in 

strength  and  had  a  mightv  army. 

[  111  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Then  said  the  gardener's  boy,  "  I  am  grown  up,  and  will 
go  to  the  wars  also,  pnly  give  me  a  horse." 

The  others  laughed,  and  said,  "  Seek  one  for  yourself  when 
we  are  gone.    We  will  leave  one  behind  us  in  the  stable  for 

you." 

When  they  had  gone  forth,  he  went  into  the  stable,  and  got 
the  horse.  It  was  lame  of  one  foot,  and  limped  hobblety  jig, 
hobblety  jig.  Nevertheless  he  mounted  it,  and  rode  away  to 
the  dark  forest.  When  he  came  to  the  outskirts,  he  called 
"  Iron  John  "  three  times  so  loudly  that  it  echoed  through  the 
trees. 

Thereupon  the  Wild  Man  appeared  immediately,  and  said, 
"  What  do  you  desire?  " 

"  I  want  a  strong  steed,  for  I  am  going  to  the  wars." 

"  That  you  shall  have,  and  still  more  than  you  ask."  Then 
the  Wild  Man  went  back  into  the  forest,  and  it  was  not  long 
before  a  stable-boy  came  out  of  it,  who  led  a  horse  that  snorted, 
and  could  hardly  be  restrained.  Behind  them  followed  a  great 
troop  of  soldiers  entirely  equipped  in  iron,  and  their  swords 
flashed  in  the  sun.  The  youth  made  over  his  three-legged 
horse  to  the  stable-boy,  mounted  the  other,  and  rode  at  the 
head  of  the  soldiers. 

When  he  drew  near  the  battle-field,  a  great  part  of  the 

King's  men  had  already  fallen,  and  little  was  wanting  to  make 

the  rest  give  way.     Then  the  youth  galloped  thither  with  his 

iron  soldiers,  broke  like  a  hurricane  over  the  enemy,  and  beat 

down  all  who  opposed  him.    They  began  to  fly,  but  the  youth 

pursued,  and  never  stopped,  until  there  was  not  a  single  man 

left. 

[112] 


IRON  JOHN 

Instead,  however,  of  returning  to  the  King,  he  conducted 
his  troop  by  side-roads  to  the  forest,  and  called  Iron  John. 

"  What  do  you  desire?  "  asked  the  Wild  Man. 

"  Take  back  your  horse  and  troops,  and  give  me  my  three- 
legged  horse  again."  All  that  he  asked  was  done,  and  soon  he 
was  riding  on  his  three-legged  horse. 

When  the  King  returned  to  his  palace,  his  daughter  went  to 
meet  him,  and  wished  him  joy  of  his  victory.  "  I  am  not  the 
one  who  carried  away  the  victory,"  said  he,  "  but  a  stranger 
Knight  who  came  to  my  assistance  with  his  soldiers."  The 
daughter  wanted  to  hear  who  the  strange  Knight  was,  but  the 
King  did  not  know,  and  said,  "  He  followed  the  enemy,  and  I 
did  not  see  him  again." 

She  inquired  of  the  gardener  where  his  boy  was,  but  he 
smiled,  and  said,  "  He  has  just  come  home  on  his  three-legged 
horse,  and  the  others  have  been  mocking  him,  and  crying, 
'  Here  comes  our  hobblety  jig  back  again! '  They  asked,  too, 
1  Under  what  hedge  have  you  been  lying  sleeping  all  the  time? ' 
He,  however,  answered, '  I  did  the  best  of  all,  and  it  would  have 
gone  badly  without  me.'  And  then  he  was  ridiculed  still 
more." 

The  King  said  to  his  daughter,  "  I  will  proclaim  a  great 
feast  that  shall  last  for  three  days,  and  you  shall  throw  a 
Golden  Apple.    Perhaps  the  unknown  will  come  to  it." 

When  the  feast  was  announced,  the  youth  went  out  to  the 
forest,  and  called  Iron  John. 

"  What  do  you  desire?  "  asked  he. 

"  That  I  may  catch  the  King's  Daughter's  Golden  Apple." 

"  It  is  as  safe  as  if  you  had  it  already,"  said  Iron  John. 

[  113  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"  You  shall  likewise  have  a  suit  of  red  armor  for  the  occasion, 
and  ride  on  a  spirited  chestnut  horse." 

When  the  day  came,  the  youth  galloped  to  the  spot,  took 
his  place  amongst  the  Knights,  and  was  recognized  by  no  one. 
The  King's  Daughter  came  forward,  and  threw  a  Golden 
Apple  to  the  Knights.  None  of  them  caught  it  but  he;  only  as 
soon  as  he  had  it,  he  galloped  away. 

On  the  second  day,  Iron  John  equipped  him  as  a  white 
Knight,  and  gave  him  a  white  horse.  Again  he  was  the  only 
one  who  caught  the  apple,  and  he  did  not  linger  an  instant,  but 
galloped  off  with  it. 

The  King  grew  angry,  and  said,  "  That  is  not  allowed.  He 
must  appear  before  me  and  tell  his  name."  He  gave  the  order 
that  if  the  Knight  who  caught  the  apple  should  go  away  again, 
they  should  pursue  him,  and,  if  he  would  not  come  back  will- 
ingly, they  should  cut  him  down  and  stab  him. 

On  the  third  day,  he  received  from  Iron  John  a  suit  of  black 
armor  and  a  black  horse.  Again  he  caught  the  apple.  But 
when  he  was  riding  off  with  it,  the  King's  attendants  pursued 
him,  and  one  of  them  got  so  near  that  he  wounded  the  youth's 
leg  with  the  point  of  his  sword.  The  youth  nevertheless  es- 
caped from  them,  but  his  horse  leapt  so  violently  that  the 
helmet  fell  from  his  head,  and  they  could  see  that  he  had  golden 
hair.    They  rode  back  and  announced  this  to  the  King. 

The  following  day,  the  King's  Daughter  asked  the  gardener 
about  his  boy.  "  He  is  at  work  in  the  garden.  The  queer  crea- 
ture has  been  at  the  festival  too,  and  only  came  home  yesterday 
evening.     He  has  likewise  shown  my  children  three  Golden 

Apples  which  he  has  won." 

[114] 


IRON  JOHN 

The  King  had  him  summoned  into  his  presence.  He  came 
and  again  had  his  hat  on  his  head.  But  the  King's  Daughter 
went  up  to  him  and  took  it  off'.  Then  his  golden  hair  fell  down 
over  his  shoulders,  and  he  was  so  handsome  that  all  were 
amazed. 

"Are  you  the  Knight  who  came  every  clay  to  the  festival, 
always  in  different  colors,  and  who  caught  the  three  Golden 
Apples?  "  asked  the  King. 

"  Yes,"  answered  he,  "  and  here  are  the  apples,"  and  he  took 
them  out  of  his  pocket,  and  returned  them  to  the  King.  "  If 
you  desire  further  proof,  you  may  see  the  wound  which  your 
people  gave  me  when  they  followed  me.  But  I  am  likewise  the 
Knight  who  helped  you  win  your  victory  over  your  enemies." 

"  If  you  can  perform  such  deeds  as  that,  you  are  no  gar- 
dener's boy.    Tell  me,  who  is  your  father?  " 

"  My  father  is  a  mighty  King,  and  gold  have  I  in  plenty  as 
much  as  I  require." 

"  I  well  see,"  said  the  King,  "  that  I  owe  thanks  to  you. 
Can  I  do  anything  to  please  you? " 

"  Yes,"  answered  he,  "  that  indeed  you  can.  Give  me  your 
daughter  to  wife." 

The  maiden  laughed,  and  said,  "  He  does  not  stand  much  on 
ceremony,  but  I  have  already  seen  by  his  golden  hair  that  he 
is  no  gardener's  boy,"  and  then  she  went  and  kissed  him. 

His  father  and  mother  came  to  the  wedding,  and  were  in 
great  delight,  for  they  had  given  up  all  hope  of  ever  seeing 
their  dear  son  again.  And  as  they  were  sitting  at  the  marriage- 
feast,  the  music  suddenly  stopped,  the  doors  opened,  and  a 

stately  King  came  in  with  a  great  retinue. 

[  115  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

He  went  up  to  the  youth,  embraced  him  and  said,  "  I  am 
Iron  John,  and  was  by  enchantment  a  Wild  Man,  but  you  have 
set  me  free.  All  the  treasures  which  I  possess,  shall  be 
yours." 


[116] 


CLEVER  ELSIE 

THERE  was  once  a  man  who  had  a  daughter  who  was 
called  Clever  Elsie.  And  when  she  had  grown  up  her 
father  said,  "  We  will  get  her  married." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  mother,  "  if  only  any  one  would  come  who 
would  have  her." 

At  length  a  man  came  from  a  distance,  and  wooed  her,  who 
was  called  Hans.  But  he  made  one  condition,  that  Clever 
Elsie  should  be  really  wise. 

"  Oh,"  said  the  father,  "  she's  sharp  enough." 

And  the  mother  said,  "  Oh,  she  can  see  the  wind  coming  up 
the  street,  and  hear  the  flies  coughing." 

"  Well,"  said  Hans,  "  if  she  is  not  really  wise,  I  won't  have 
her." 

When  they  were  sitting  at  dinner,  and  had  eaten,  the  mother 
said,  "  Elsie,  go  into  the  cellar  and  fetch  some  beer." 

Then  Clever  Elsie  took  the  pitcher  from  the  wall,  went  into 
the  cellar,  and  tapped  the  lid  briskly  as  she  went  that  the  time 
might  not  appear  long.  When  she  was  below  she  fetched  her- 
self a  chair,  and  set  it  before  the  barrel,  so  that  she  had  no  need 

[117] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

to  stoop,  and  did  not  hurt  her  back  or  do  herself  any  unex- 
pected injury. 

Then  she  placed  the  can  before  her,  and  turned  the  tap,  and 
while  the  beer  was  running,  she  would  not  let  her  eyes  be  idle, 
but  looked  up  at  the  wall.  And  after  much  peering  here  and 
there,  saw  a  pickaxe  exactly  above  her,  which  the  masons  had 
left  there  by  mistake. 

Then  Clever  Elsie  began  to  weep  and  said,  "  If  I  get  Hans, 
and  we  have  a  child,  and  he  grows  big,  and  we  send  him  into  the 
cellar  here  to  draw  beer,  then  the  pickaxe  will  fall  on  his  head 
and  kill  him."  Then  she  sat  and  wept  and  screamed  with  all 
the  strength  of  her  body,  over  the  misfortune  which  lay  before 
her. 

Those  upstairs  waited  for  the  drink,  but  Clever  Elsie  still 
did  not  come.  Then  the  woman  said  to  the  servant,  "  Just  go 
down  into  the  cellar  and  see  where  Elsie  is." 

The  maid  went  and  found  her  sitting  in  front  of  the  barrel, 
screaming  loudly. 

"  Elsie,  why  do  you  weep?  "  asked  the  maid. 

"  Ah,"  she  answered,  "  have  I  not  reason  to  weep?  If  I  get 
Hans,  and  we  have  a  child,  and  he  grows  big,  and  has  to  draw 
beer  here,  the  pickaxe  may  fall  on  his  head,  and  kill  him." 

Then  said  the  maid,  "What  a  clever  Elsie  we  have!"  and 
sat  down  beside  her  and  began  loudly  to  weep  over  the  mis- 
fortune. 

After  a  while,  as  the  maid  did  not  come  back,  and  those  up- 
stairs were  thirsty  for  the  beer,  the  man  said  to  the  boy,  "  Just 
go  down  into  the  cellar  and  see  where  Elsie  and  the  girl  are." 

The  boy  went  down,  and  there  sat  Clever  Elsie  and  the  girl 

[118] 


CLEVER  ELSIE 

both  weeping  together.    Then  he  asked,  "  Why  are  you  weep- 


ing! 


"Ah,"  said  Elsie,  "have  I  not  reason  to  weep?  If  I  get 
Hans,  and  we  have  a  child,  and  he  grows  big,  and  has  to  draw 
beer  here,  the  pickaxe  will  fall  on  his  head  and  kill  him." 

Then  said  the  boy,  "  What  a  clever  Elsie  we  have!  "  and  sat 
down  by  her,  and  likewise  began  to  howl  loudly. 

Upstairs  they  waited  for  the  boy,  but  as  he  did  not  return, 
the  man  said  to  the  woman,  "  Just  go  down  into  the  cellar  and 
see  where  Elsie  is !  " 

The  woman  went  down,  and  found  all  three  in  the  midst  of 
their  lamentations,  and  inquired  what  was  the  cause.  Then 
Elsie  told  her  also,  that  her  future  child  was  to  be  killed  by  the 
pickaxe,  when  it  grew  big  and  had  to  draw  beer,  and  the  pick- 
axe fell  down. 

Then  said  the  mother  likewise,  "  What  a  clever  Elsie  we 
have ! "  and  sat  down  and  wept  with  them. 

The  man  upstairs  waited  a  short  time,  but  as  his  wife  did 
not  come  back  and  his  thirst  grew  ever  greater,  he  said,  "  I 
must  go  into  the  cellar  myself  and  see  where  Elsie  is." 

But  when  he  got  into  the  cellar,  and  they  were  all  sitting 
together  crying,  and  he  heard  the  reason,  and  that  Elsie's  child 
was  the  cause,  and  that  Elsie  might  perhaps  bring  one  into  the 
world  some  day,  and  that  it  might  be  killed  by  the  pickaxe,  if 
it  should  happen  to  be  sitting  beneath  it,  drawing  beer  just  at 
the  very  time  when  it  fell,  he  cried,  "  Oh,  what  a  clever  Elsie! ': 
and  sat  down,  and  likewise  wept  with  them. 

The  Bridegroom  stayed  up-stairs  alone  for  a  long  time ;  then 

as  no  one  came  back  he  thought,  "  They  must  be  waiting  for 

[119] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

me  below.  I,  too,  must  go  there  and  see  what  they  are 
about." 

When  he  got  down,  all  five  of  them  were  sitting  screaming 
and  lamenting  quite  piteously,  each  outdoing  the  other. 

"  What  misfortune  has  happened  then?  "  asked  he. 

"  Ah,  dear  Hans,"  said  Elsie,  "  if  we  marry  each  other  and 
have  a  child,  and  he  is  big,  and  we  perhaps  send  him  here  to 
draw  something  to  drink,  then  the  pickaxe  which  has  been  left 
up  there  might  dash  his  brains  out,  if  it  were  to  fall  down,  so 
have  we  not  reason  to  weep?  " 

"  Come,"  said  Hans,  "  more  understanding  than  that  is  not 
needed  for  my  household,  as  you  are  such  a  clever  Elsie,  I  will 
have  you,"  and  he  seized  her  hand,  took  her  upstairs  with  him, 
and  married  her. 

After  Hans  had  had  her  some  time,  he  said,  "  Wife,  I  am 
going  out  to  work  and  earn  money  for  us.  Go  into  the  field 
and  cut  the  corn,  that  we  may  have  some  bread." 

"  Yes,  dear  Hans,  I  will  do  that." 

After  Hans  had  gone  away,  she  cooked  herself  some  good 
broth,  and  took  it  into  the  field  with  her.  When  she  came  to 
the  field  she  said  to  herself,  "  What  shall  I  do?  Shall  I  shear 
first,  or  shall  I  eat  first?    Oh,  I  will  eat  first." 

Then  she  emptied  her  basin  of  broth,  and  when  she  was  fully 
satisfied,  she  once  more  said,  "  What  shall  I  do?  Shall  I  shear 
first,  or  shall  I  sleep  first?  I  will  sleep  first."  Then  she  lay 
down  among  the  corn  and  fell  asleep. 

Hans  had  been  at  home  for  a  long  time,  but  Elsie  did  not 

come.    Then  said  he,  "  What  a  clever  Elsie  I  have.    She  is  so 

industrious,  that  she  does  not  even  come  home  to  eat." 

[120] 


CLEVER  ELSIE 

As,  however,  she  still  stayed  away,  and  it  was  evening,  Hans 
went  out  to  see  what  she  had  cut.  But  nothing  was  cut,  and 
she  was  lying  among  the  corn,  asleep.  Then  Hans  hastened 
home  and  brought  a  fowler's  net  with  little  bells  and  hung  it 
round  about  her,  and  she  still  went  on  sleeping.  Then  he  ran 
home,  shut  the  house-door,  and  sat  down  in  his  chair  and 
worked. 

At  length,  when  it  was  quite  dark,  Clever  Elsie  awoke  and 
when  she  got  up  there  was  a  jingling  all  round  about  her,  and 
the  bells  rang  at  each  step  which  she  took.  Then  she  was 
frightened,  and  became  uncertain  whether  she  really  was 
Clever  Elsie  or  not,  and  said,  "  Is  it  I,  or  is  it  not  I?  " 

But  she  knew  not  what  answer  to  make  to  this,  and  stood 
for  a  time  in  doubt.  At  length  she  thought,  "  I  will  go  home 
and  ask  if  it  be  I,  or  if  it  be  not  I.    They  will  be  sure  to  know." 

She  ran  to  the  door  of  her  own  house,  but  it  was  shut.  Then 
she  knocked  at  the  window  and  cried,  "  Hans,  is  Elsie  within? ' 

"  Yes,"  answered  Hans,  "  she  is  within." 

Hereupon  she  was  terrified,  and  said,  "Ah,  heavens!  Then 
it  is  not  I,"  and  went  to  another  door. 

But  when  the  people  heard  the  jingling  of  the  bells,  they 
would  not  open  it,  and  she  could  get  in  nowhere.  Then  she 
ran  out  of  the  village,  and  no  one  has  seen  her  since. 


[121] 


THE  BREMEN  TOWN-MUSICIANS 


A  CERTAIN  man  had  a  Donkey,  which  had  carried  the 
corn-sacks  to  the  mill  faithfully  for  many  a  long  year; 
but  his  strength  was  going,  and  he  was  growing  more 
and  more  unfit  for  work. 

Then  his  master  began  to  consider  how  he  might  best  save 
his  keep ;  but  the  Donkey,  seeing  that  no  good  wind  was  blow- 
ing, ran  away  and  set  out  on  the  road  to  Bremen. 

"  There,"  he  thought,  "  I  can  surely  be  town-musician." 

When  he  had  walked  some  distance,  he  found  a  Hound 
lying  on  the  road,  gasping  like  one  who  had  run  till  he  was 
tired. 

"  What  are  you  gasping  so  for,  you  big  fellow? "  asked  the 
Donkey. 

"  Ah,"  replied  the  Hound,  "  as  I  am  old,  and  daily  grow 
weaker  and  no  longer  can  hunt,  my  master  wants  to  kill  me. 
So  I  have  taken  to  flight.  But  now  how  am  I  to  earn  my 
bread?" 

"  I  tell  you  what,"  said  the  Donkey,  "  I  am  going  to  Bremen, 

and  shall  be  town-musician  there.     Come  with  me  and  engage 

[122] 


THE  BREMEN  TOWN-MUSICIANS 

yourself  also  as  a  musician.  I  will  play  the  lute,  and  you  shall 
beat  the  kettledrum." 

The  Hound  agreed,  and  on  they  went. 

Before  long,  they  came  to  a  Cat,  sitting  on  the  path,  with  a 
face  like  three  rainy  days! 

"Now  then,  old  shaver,  what  has  gone  askew  with  you?" 
asked  the  Donkey. 

"  Who  can  be  merry  when  his  neck  is  in  danger? "  answered 
the  Cat.  "  Because  I  am  now  getting  old,  and  my  teeth  are 
worn  to  stumps,  and  I  prefer  to  sit  by  the  fire  and  spin,  rather 
than  hunt  about  after  mice,  my  mistress  wants  to  drown  me, 
so  I  have  run  away.  But  now  good  advice  is  scarce.  Where 
am  I  to  go?  " 

"  Come  with  us  to  Bremen.  You  understand  night-music, 
so  you  can  be  a  town-musician." 

The  Cat  thought  well  of  it,  and  went  with  them. 

After  this  the  three  fugitives  came  to  a  farmyard,  where 
the  Cock  was  sitting  upon  the  gate,  crowing  with  all  his  might. 

"  Your  crow  goes  through  and  through  one,"  said  the  Don- 
key.    "  What  is  the  matter?  " 

"  I  have  been  foretelling  fine  weather,  because  it  is  the  day 
on  which  Our  Lady  washes  the  Christ-child's  little  shirts,  and 
wants  to  dry  them,"  said  the  Cock.  "  But  guests  are  coming 
for  Sunday,  so  the  housewife  has  no  pity,  and  has  told  the  cook 
that  she  intends  to  eat  me  in  the  soup  to-morrow.  This  even- 
ing I  am  to  have  my  head  cut  off.  Now  I  am  crowing  at  full 
pitch  while  I  can." 

"Ah,  but  Red-Comb,"  said  the  Donkey,  "  you  had  better 

come  away  with  us.     We  are  going  to  Bremen.     You  can 

[  123  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

find  something  better  than  death  everywhere.  You  have  a 
good  voice,  and  if  we  make  music  together,  it  must  have  some 
quality ! " 

The  Cock  agreed  to  this  plan,  and  all  four  went  on  together. 

They  could  not,  however,  reach  the  city  of  Bremen  in  one 
day,  and  in  the  evening  they  came  to  a  forest  where  they  meant 
to  pass  the  night.  The  Donkey  and  the  Hound  laid  themselves 
down  under  a  large  tree.  The  Cat  and  the  Cock  settled  them- 
selves in  the  branches ;  but  the  Cock  flew  right  to  the  top,  where 
he  was  most  safe. 

Before  he  went  to  sleep,  he  looked  round  on  all  the  four 
sides,  and  thought  he  saw  in  the  distance  a  little  spark  burning. 
So  he  called  out  to  his  companions  that  there  must  be  a  house 
not  far  off,  for  he  saw  a  light. 

The  Donkey  said,  "  If  so,  we  had  better  get  up  and  go  on, 
for  the  shelter  here  is  bad." 

The  Hound  thought  that  a  few  bones  with  some  meat  would 
do  him  good  too! 

They  made  their  way  to  the  place  where  the  light  was,  and 
soon  saw  it  shine  brighter  and  grow  larger,  until  they  came  to 
a  well-lighted  robber's  house.  The  Donkey,  as  the  biggest, 
went  to  the  window  and  looked  in. 

"  What  do  you  see,  my  Grey-Horse?  "  asked  the  Cock. 

"  What  do  I  see?  "  answered  the  Donkey;  "  a  table  covered 
with  good  things  to  eat  and  drink,  and  robbers  sitting  at  it 
enjoying  themselves." 

"  That  would  be  the  sort  of  thing  for  us,"  said  the  Cock. 

"  Yes,  yes!  ah,  how  I  wish  we  were  there!  "  said  the  Donkey. 

Then  the  animals  took  counsel  together  as  to  how  they  could 

[124] 


THE  BREMEN  TOWN-MUSICIANS 

drive  away  the  robbers,  and  at  last  they  thought  of  a  plan.  The 
Donkey  was  to  place  himself  with  his  forefeet  upon  the  win- 
dow-ledge, the  Hound  was  to  jump  on  the  Donkey's  back,  the 
Cat  was  to  climb  upon  the  Hound,  and  lastly  the  Cock  was  to 
fly  up  and  perch  upon  the  head  of  the  Cat. 

When  this  was  done,  at  a  given  signal,  they  began  to  perform 
their  music  together.  The  Donkey  brayed,  the  Hound  barked, 
the  Cat  mewed,  and  the  Cock  crowed.  Then  they  burst 
through  the  window  into  the  room,  so  that  the  glass  clattered! 

At  this  horrible  din,  the  robbers  sprang  up,  thinking  no 
otherwise  than  that  a  ghost  had  come  in,  and  fled  in  a  great 
fright  out  into  the  forest. 

The  four  companions  now  sat  down  at  the  table,  well  content 
with  what  was  left,  and  ate  as  if  they  were  going  to  fast  for  a 
month. 

As  soon  as  the  four  minstrels  had  done,  they  put  out  the 
light,  and  each  sought  for  himself  a  sleeping-place  according  to 
his  nature  and  to  what  suited  him.  The  Donkey  laid  himself 
down  upon  some  straw  in  the  yard,  the  Hound  behind  the  door, 
the  Cat  upon  the  hearth  near  the  warm  ashes,  and  the  Cock 
perched  himself  upon  a  beam  of  the  roof.  Being  tired  with 
their  long  walk,  they  soon  went  to  sleep. 

When  it  was  past  midnight,  the  robbers  saw  from  afar  that 
the  light  was  no  longer  burning  in  their  house,  and  all  appeared 
quiet. 

The  captain  said,  "  We  ought  not  to  have  let  ourselves  be 
frightened  out  of  our  wits;  "  and  ordered  one  of  them  to  go 
and  examine  the  house. 

The  messenger  finding  all  still,  went  into  the  kitchen  to  light 

[  125  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

a  candle,  and,  taking  the  glistening  fiery  eyes  of  the  Cat  for 
live  coals,  he  held  a  lucif  er-match  to  them  to  light  it.  But  the 
Cat  did  not  understand  the  joke,  and  flew  in  his  face,  spitting 
and  scratching. 

He  was  dreadfully  frightened,  and  ran  to  the  back  door,  but 
the  Dog,  who  lay  there,  sprang  up  and  bit  his  leg. 

Then,  as  he  ran  across  the  yard  by  the  straw-heap,  the  Don- 
key gave  him  a  smart  kick  with  his  hind  foot.  The  Cock,  too, 
who  had  been  awakened  by  the  noise,  and  had  become  lively, 
cried  down  from  the  beam: 

"  Kicker-ee-ricker-ee-ree!  " 

Then  the  robber  ran  back  as  fast  as  he  could  to  his  captain, 
and  said,  "Ah,  there  is  a  horrible  Witch  sitting  in  the  house, 
who  spat  on  me  and  scratched  my  face  with  her  long  claws. 
By  the  door  stands  a  man  with  a  knife,  who  stabbed  me  in  the 
leg.  In  the  yard  there  lies  a  black  monster,  who  beat  me  with 
a  wooden  club.  And  above,  upon  the  roof,  sits  the  judge,  who 
called  out: 

" '  Bring  the  rogue  here  to  me! ' 

so  I  got  away  as  well  as  I  could." 

After  this  the  robbers  did  not  trust  themselves  in  the  house 
again.  But  it  suited  the  four  musicians  of  Bremen  so  well  that 
they  did  not  care  to  leave  it  any  more. 

And  the  mouth  of  him  who  last  told  this  story,  is  still  warm. 


[126] 


&    5  j 

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sv>^ 

THE  SIX  SWANS 


ONCE  upon  a  time,  a  certain  King  was  hunting  in  a 
great  forest,  and  he  chased  a  wild  beast  so  eagerly  that 
none  of  his  attendants  could  follow  him.  When  even- 
ing drew  near,  he  stopped  and  looked  around  him,  and  saw 
that  he  had  lost  his  way.  He  sought  a  way  out,  but  could  find 
none.  Then  he  perceived  an  Old  Woman  with  a  head  which 
nodded  all  the  time,  who  came  toward  him,  but  she  was  a 
Witch. 

"  Good  woman,"  said  he  to  her,  "  can  vou  not  show  me  the 
way  through  the  forest?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  Lord  King,"  she  answered,  "  that  I  certainly  can, 
but  on  one  condition,  and  if  you  do  not  fulfill  that,  you  will 
never  get  out  of  the  forest,  and  will  die  of  hunger  in  it." 

"  What  kind  of  a  condition  is  it? "  asked  the  King. 

"  I  have  a  daughter,"  said  the  old  woman,  "  who  is  as  beau- 
tiful as  any  one  in  the  world,  and  well  deserves  to  be  your  wife. 
If  you  will  make  her  your  Queen,  I  will  show  you  the  way  out 
of  the  forest." 

In  the  anguish  of  his  heart  the  King  consented,  and  the  old 

[127] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

woman  led  him  to  her  little  hut,  where  her  daughter  was  sitting 
by  the  fire.  She  received  the  King  as  if  she  had  been  expecting 
him.  He  saw  that  she  was  very  beautiful,  but  still  she  did  not 
please  him,  and  he  could  not  look  at  her  without  secret  horror. 

After  he  had  taken  the  maiden  up  on  his  horse,  the  old 
woman  showed  him  the  way,  and  the  King  reached  his  royal 
palace  again,  where  the  wedding  was  celebrated. 

The  King  had  already  been  married  once,  and  had  by  his 
first  wife,  seven  children,  six  boys  and  a  girl,  whom  he  loved 
better  than  anything  else  in  the  world.  As  he  now  feared  that 
the  new  Queen  might  not  treat  them  well,  and  even  do  them 
some  injury,  he  took  them  to  a  lonely  castle  which  stood  in  the 
midst  of  a  forest.  It  lay  concealed,  and  the  way  was  so  diffi- 
cult to  find,  that  he  himself  would  not  have  found  it  at  all,  if  a 
Wise  Woman  had  not  given  him  a  ball  of  yarn  with  wonder- 
ful properties.  When  he  threw  it  down  before  him,  it  unrolled 
itself  and  showed  him  his  path. 

The  King,  however,  went  so  frequently  to  visit  his  dear  chil- 
dren, that  the  Queen  noticed  his  absence.  She  was  curious  and 
wanted  to  know  what  he  did  when  he  was  alone  in  the  forest. 
She  gave  a  great  deal  of  money  to  his  servants,  and  they  be- 
trayed the  secret  to  her,  and  told  her  likewise  of  the  ball  which 
alone  could  point  out  the  way. 

And  now  she  knew  no  rest  until  she  had  learnt  where  the 
King  kept  the  ball  of  yarn.  Then  she  made  little  shirts  of 
white  silk,  and  as  she  had  learnt  the  art  of  witchcraft  from  her 
mother,  she  sewed  a  charm  inside  them.  And  one  day,  when 
the  King  had  ridden  forth  to  hunt,  she  took  the  little  shirts  and 

went  into  the  forest,  and  the  ball  showed  her  the  way. 

[128] 


THE  SIX  SWANS 

The  children,  who  saw  from  a  distance  that  some  one  was 
approaching,  thought  that  their  dear  father  was  coming  to 
them,  and  full  of  joy,  ran  to  meet  him.  Then  she  threw  one 
of  the  little  shirts  over  each  of  them.  And  no  sooner  had  the 
shirts  touched  their  bodies  than  they  were  changed  into  Swans, 
and  flew  away  over  the  forest. 

The  Queen  went  home  quite  delighted,  and  thought  she  had 
got  rid  of  all  the  children,  but  the  girl  had  not  run  out  with 
her  brothers,  and  the  Queen  knew  nothing  about  her. 

Next  clay,  the  King  went  to  visit  his  children,  but  found  no 
one  but  the  little  girl. 

"  Where  are  your  brothers?  "  asked  the  King. 

"  Alas,  dear  Father,"  she  answered,  "  they  have  gone  away 
and  left  me  alone! "  and  she  told  him  that  she  had  seen  from 
her  little  window,  how  her  brothers  had  flown  away  over  the 
forest  in  the  shape  of  Swans.  And  she  showed  him  the  feath- 
ers, which  they  had  let  fall  in  the  courtyard,  and  which  she  had 
picked  up. 

The  King  mourned,  but  he  did  not  think  that  the  Queen 
had  done  this  wicked  deed.  And  as  he  feared  that  the  girl 
also  would  be  stolen  from  him,  he  wanted  to  take  her  away. 
But  she  was  afraid  of  the  Queen,  and  entreated  the  King  to 
let  her  stay  just  one  night  more  in  the  forest-castle. 

The  poor  girl  thought,  "  I  can  no  longer  remain  here.  I 
will  go  and  seek  my  brothers."  And  when  night  came,  she  ran 
away,  and  went  straight  into  the  forest. 

She  walked  the  whole  night  long,  and  next  day  also  without 

stopping,  until  she  could  go  no  farther  for  weariness.     Then 

she  saw  a  forest-hut,  and  went  into  it,  and  found  a  room  with 

[129] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

six  little  beds.  She  did  not  venture  to  get  into  any  of 'them, 
but  crept  under  one,  and  lay  down  on  the  hard  ground,  to  pass 
the  night  there.  Just  before  sunset  she  heard  a  rustling,  and 
saw  six  Swans  come  flying  in  at  the  window.  They  alighted 
on  the  ground  and  blew  at  each  other,  and  blew  all  the  feathers 
off,  and  their  swan's  skins  stripped  off  like  a  shirt. 

Then  the  maiden  looked  at  them  and  recognized  her  brothers. 
She  rejoiced  and  crept  forth  from  beneath  the  bed.  The  broth- 
ers were  not  less  delighted  to  see  their  little  sister,  but  their 
joy  was  short. 

"  Here  can  you  not  abide,"  they  said  to  her.  "  This  is  a 
shelter  for  robbers.  If  they  come  home  and  find  you,  they 
will  kill  you." 

"  But  can  you  not  protect  me?  "  asked  the  little  sister. 

"  No,"  they  replied,  "  only  for  one  quarter  of  an  hour  each 
evening,  can  we  lay  aside  our  swan's  skins  and  have  our  human 
form.    After  that,  we  are  once  more  turned  into  Swans." 

The  little  sister  wept,  and  said,  "  Can  you  not  be  set  free?  " 

"Alas,  no,"  they  answered,  "the  conditions  are  too  hard! 
For  six  years  you  may  neither  speak  nor  laugh,  and  in  that 
time  you  must  sew  together  six  little  shirts  of  Star-Flowers  for 
us.  And  if  one  single  word  falls  from  your  lips,  all  your  work 
will  be  lost." 

And  when  the  brothers  had  said  this,  the  quarter  of  an  hour 
was  over,  and  they  flew  out  of  the  window  again  as  Swans. 

The  maiden,  however,  resolved  to  deliver  her  brothers,  even 

if  it  should  cost  her  her  life.     She  left  the  hut,  went  into  the 

midst  of  the  forest,  seated  herself  on  a  tree,  and  there  passed 

the  night.    Next  morning,  she  went  out  and  gathered  Star- 

[130] 


THE  PRINCESS   WENT  OUT    AND  GATHERED  STAR-FLOWERS 


THE  SIX  SWANS 

Flowers  and  began  to  sew.  She  could  not  speak  to  any  one, 
and  she  had  no  wish  to  laugh.  She  sat  there  and  looked  at 
nothing  but  her  work. 

When  she  had  spent  a  long  time  there,  it  came  to  pass  that 
the  King  of  the  country  was  hunting  in  the  forest,  and  his 
huntsmen  came  to  the  tree  on  which  the  maiden  was  sitting. 

They  called  to  her,  and  said,  "Who  are  you?"  But  she 
made  no  answer.  "  Come  down  to  us,"  said  they.  "  We  will 
not  do  you  any  harm." 

She  only  shook  her  head.  As  they  pressed  her  further  with 
questions^  she  threw  her  golden  necklace  down  to  them,  and 
thought  to  content  them  with  that.  They,  however,  did  not 
cease,  and  then  she  threw  her  girdle  down  to  them,  and  as  this 
also  was  to  no  use,  her  garters,  and  little  by  little  everything 
which  she  had  on  that  she  could  do  without,  until  she  had  noth- 
ing left  but  her  shift.  The  huntsmen,  however,  did  not  let 
themselves  be  turned  aside  by  that,  but  climbed  the  tree  and 
fetched  the  maiden  down  and  led  her  before  the  King. 

The  King  asked,  "  Who  are  you?  What  are  you  doing  on 
the  tree? " 

But  she  did  not  answer.  He  put  the  question  in  every  lan- 
guage that  he  knew,  but  she  remained  as  mute  as  a  fish.  As 
she  was  so  beautiful,  the  King's  heart  was  touched,  and  he  was 
smitten  with  a  great  love  for  her.  He  put  his  mantle  on  her, 
took  her  before  him  on  his  horse,  and  carried  her  to  his  castle. 

Then  he  caused  her  to  be  dressed  in  rich  garments,  and  she 

shone  in  her  beauty  like  bright  daylight,  but  no  word  could  be 

drawn  from  her.    He  placed  her  by  his  side  at  table,  and  her 

modest  bearing  and  courtesy  pleased  him  so  much,  that  he  said, 

[131] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"  She  is  the  one  whom  I  wish  to  marry,  and  no  other  woman 
in  the  world."     And  a  few  days  after,  he  united  himself  to  her. 

The  King,  however,  had  a  wicked  mother,  who  was  dissatis- 
fied with  his  marriage  and  spoke  ill  of  the  young  Queen. 
"  Who  knows,"  said  she,  "  from  whence  comes  the  creature, 
who  can't  speak?     She  is  not  worthy  of  a  King!  " 

After  a  year  had  passed,  when  the  Queen  brought  her  first 
child  into  the  world,  the  old  woman  took  it  away  from  her  and 
smeared  her  mouth  with  blood  as  she  slept.  Then  she  went  to 
the  King  and  accused  the  Queen  of  being  a  man-eater.  The 
King  would  not  believe  it,  and  would  not  suffer  any  one  to  do 
her  injury.  She,  however,  sat  continually  sewing  at  the  shirts, 
and  cared  for  nothing  else. 

The  next  time,  when  she  again  bore  a  beautiful  boy,  the  false 
old  woman  used  the  same  treachery,  but  the  King  could  not 
bring  himself  to  believe  her  words.  He  said,  "  She  is  too  pious 
and  good  to  do  anything  of  that  kind.  If  she  were  not  dumb, 
and  could  defend  herself,  her  innocence  would  come  to  light." 

But  when  the  old  woman  stole  away  the  newly-born  child 
for  the  third  time,  and  accused  the  Queen,  who  did  not  utter 
one  word  of  defense,  the  King  could  do  no  otherwise  than  de- 
liver her  over  to  justice;  and  she  was  sentenced  to  be  burned. 

When  the  day  came  for  the  sentence  to  be  executed,  it  was 
the  last  day  of  the  six  years  during  which  she  was  not  to  speak 
or  laugh,  and  she  had  delivered  her  dear  brothers  from  the 
power  of  the  enchantment.  The  six  shirts  were  ready,  only  the 
left  sleeve  of  the  sixth  was  wanting. 

When,  therefore,  she  was  led  to  the  stake,  she  laid  the  shirts 

on  her  arm.     And  when  she  stood  on  high  and  the  fire  was  just 

[132] 


THE  SIX  SWANS 

going  to  be  lighted,  she  looked  around  and  six  Swans  came  fly- 
ing through  the  air  toward  her.  Then  she  saw  that  her  deliv- 
erance was  near,  and  her  heart  leapt  with  joy. 

The  Swans  swept  toward  her  and  sank  down  so  that  she 
could  throw  the  shirts  over  them.  And  as  they  were  touched 
by  them,  their  swan's  skins  fell  off,  and  her  brothers  stood  in 
their  own  form  before  her,  vigorous  and  handsome.  The 
youngest  lacked  only  his  left  arm,  and  had  in  its  place  a  swan's 
wing  on  his  shoulder. 

They  embraced  and  kissed  each  other,  and  the  Queen  went 
to  the  King,  who  was  greatly  moved,  and  she  began  to  speak, 
and  said,  "  Dearest  Husband,  now  I  may  speak  and  declare  to 
you  that  I  am  innocent,  and  falsely  accused."  And  she  told 
him  of  the  treachery  of  the  old  woman  who  had  taken  away  her 
three  children,  and  hidden  them. 

To  the  great  joy  of  the  King,  they  were  brought  back.  And 
as  a  punishment,  the  wicked  woman  was  bound  to  the  stake  and 
burned  to  ashes. 

But  the  King  and  the  Queen,  with  their  six  brothers,  lived 
many  years  in  happiness  and  peace. 


[133] 


j— - — . — . 

^^saVti 

-^^ 

THE  POOR  MILLER'S  BOY  AND  THE  CAT 

IN  a  certain  mill,  lived  an  old  miller  who  had  neither  wife 
nor  child.     Three  apprentices  served  under  him. 

As  they  had  been  with  him  several  years,  he  one  day 
said  to  them,  "  I  am  old,  and  want  to  sit  in  the  chimney-corner. 
Go  out,  and  whichsoever  of  you  brings  me  the  best  horse,  to 
him  will  I  give  the  mill.  And  in  return  for  it,  he  shall  take 
care  of  me  till  my  death." 

The  third  of  the  boys  was,  however,  the  drudge,  who  was 
looked  on  as  foolish  by  the  others.  They  begrudged  the  mill 
to  him,  and  afterward  he  would  not  have  it. 

Then  all  three  went  out  together,  and  when  the)''  came  to  the 
village,  the  two  said  to  stupid  Hans,  "  You  may  just  as  well 
stay  here;  as  long  as  you  live  you  will  never  get  a  horse." 

Hans,  however,  went  with  them,  and  when  it  was  night  they 
came  to  a  cave  in  which  they  lay  down  to  sleep.  The  two  sharp 
ones  waited  until  Hans  had  fallen  asleep,  then  they  got  up,  and 
went  away  leaving  him  where  he  was.  They  thought  they  had 
done  a  very  clever  thing,  but  it  was  certain  to  turn  out  ill  for 

them. 

[134] 


THE  POOR  MILLER'S  BOY  AND  THE  CAT 

When  the  sun  arose,  and  Hans  woke  up,  he  was  lying  in  a 
deep  cavern.  He  looked  around  on  every  side  and  exclaimed, 
"  Oh,  alas!  where  am  I?  " 

Then  he  got  up  and  clambered  out  of  the  cave,  into  the 
forest,  thinking: 

"  Here  I  am  quite  alone  and  deserted,  how  shall  I  obtain  a 
horse  now? " 

Whilst  he  was  thus  walking  full  of  thought,  he  met  a  small 
Tabby-Cat  which  said  quite  kindly,  "  Hans,  where  are  you 
going? " 


» 


"  Alas,  you  cannot  help  me.' 

"  I  well  know  your  desire,"  said  the  Cat.  "  You  wish  to 
have  a  beautiful  horse.  Come  with  me,  and  be  my  faithful 
servant  for  seven  years,  and  then  I  will  give  you  a  horse  more 
beautiful  than  any  you  have  ever  seen  in  your  whole  life." 

"  Well,  this  is  a  wonderful  Cat!  "  thought  Hans,  "  but  I  am 
determined  to  see  if  she  is  telling  the  truth." 

So  she  took  him  with  her  into  her  enchanted  castle,  where 
there  were  nothing  but  cats  who  were  her  servants.  They 
leapt  nimbly  upstairs  and  downstairs,  and  were  merry  and 
happy. 

In  the  evening  when  they  sat  down  to  dinner,  three  of  them 
had  to  make  music.  One  played  the  bassoon,  the  other  the 
fiddle,  and  the  third  put  the  trumpet  to  his  lips,  and  blew  out 
his  cheeks  as  much  as  he  possibly  could. 

When  they  had  dined,  the  table  was  carried  away,  and  the 
Cat  said,  "  Now,  Hans,  come  and  dance  with  me." 

"  No,"  said  he,  "  I  won't  dance  with  a  pussy  cat.     I  have 

never  done  that  yet." 

[135] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"  Then  take  him  to  bed,"  said  she  to  the  cats. 

So  one  of  them  lighted  him  to  his  bedroom,  one  pulled  his 
shoes  off,  one  his  stockings,  and  at  last  one  of  them  blew  out 
the  candle. 

Next  morning  they  returned  and  helped  him  out  of  bed,  one 
put  his  stockings  on  for  him,  one  tied  his  garters,  one  brought 
his  shoes,  one  washed  him,  and  one  dried  his  face  with  her 
tail. 

"  That  feels  very  soft! "  said  Hans. 

He,  however,  had  to  serve  the  Cat,  and  chop  some  wood 
every  day.  And  to  do  that,  he  had  an  axe  of  silver,  while  the 
wedge  and  saw  were  of  silver  and  the  mallet  of  copper.  So  he 
chopped  the  wood  small. 

He  stayed  there  in  the  house  and  had  good  meat  and  drink, 
but  never  saw  any  one  but  the  Tabby-Cat  and  her  servants. 

Once  she  said  to  him,  "  Go  and  mow  my  meadow,  and  dry 
the  grass,"  and  gave  him  a  scythe  of  silver,  and  a  whetstone  of 
gold,  but  bade  him  deliver  them  up  again  carefully. 

So  Hans  went  thither,  and  did  what  he  was  bidden,  and  when 
he  had  finished  the  work,  he  carried  the  scythe,  whetstone,  and 
hay  to  the  house,  and  asked  if  it  was  not  yet  time  for  her  to 
give  him  his  reward. 

"  No,"  said  the  Cat,  "  you  must  first  do  something  more  for 
me  of  the  same  kind.  There  is  timber  of  silver,  carpenter's 
axe,  square,  and  everything  that  is  needful,  all  of  silver,  with 
these  build  me  a  small  house." 

Then  Hans  built  the  small  house,  and  said  that  he  had  now 
done  everything,  and  still  he  had  no  horse. 

Nevertheless,  the  seven  years  had  gone  by  with  him  as  if 

[  136  ] 


THE  POOR  MILLER'S  BOY  AND  THE  CAT 

they  were  six  months.  The  Cat  asked  him  if  he  would  like  to 
see  her  horses  ? 

"  Yes,"  said  Hans. 

Then  she  opened  the  door  of  the  small  house.  And  when 
she  had  opened  it,  there  stood  twelve  horses, — sueh  horses,  so 
bright  and  shining,  that  his  heart  rejoiced  at  the  sight  of  them. 

And  now  she  gave  him  to  eat  and  to  drink,  and  said,  "  Go 
home.  I  will  not  give  you  your  horse  to  take  away  with  you. 
But  in  three  days'  time,  I  will  follow  you  and  bring  it." 

So  Hans  set  out,  and  she  showed  him  the  way  to  the  mill. 
She  had,  however,  never  once  given  him  a  new  coat,  and  he  had 
been  obliged  to  keep  on  his  dirty  old  smock-frock,  which  he  had 
brought  with  him,  and  which  during  the  seven  years  had  every- 
where become  too  small  for  him. 

When  he  reached  home,  the  two  other  apprentices  were  there 
again,  and  each  of  them  certainly  had  brought  a  horse  with  him. 
But  one  of  them  was  blind  and  the  other  lame.  They  asked 
Hans  where  his  horse  was. 

"  It  will  follow  me  in  three  days'  time." 

Then  they  laughed  and  said,  "  Indeed,  stupid  Hans!  where 
will  you  get  a  horse?     It  will  be  a  fine  one!  " 

Hans  went  into  the  parlor,  but  the  miller  said  he  should  not 
sit  down  to  table  for  he  was  so  ragged  and  torn,  that  they  would 
all  be  ashamed  of  him  if  any  one  came  in.  So  they  gave  him  a 
mouthful  of  food  outside. 

At  night,  when  they  went  to  rest,  the  two  others  would  not 

let  him  have  a  bed,  and  at  last  he  was  forced  to  creep  into  the 

goose-house,  and  lie  down  on  a  little  hard  straw. 

In  the  morning,  when  he  awoke,  the  three  days  had  passed, 

[137] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

and  a  coach  came  with  six  horses  and  they  shone  so  bright  that 
it  was  delightful  to  see  them ! — and  a  servant  brought  a  seventh 
as  well,  which  was  for  the  poor  miller's  boy. 

And  a  magnificent  Princess  alighted  from  the  coach,  and 
went  into  the  mill.  And  this  Princess  was  the  little  Tabby-Cat 
whom  poor  Hans  had  served  for  seven  years. 

She  asked  the  miller  where  the  miller's  boy  and  drudge 
was. 

Then  the  miller  said,  "  We  will  not  have  him  here  in  the  mill, 
he  is  so  ragged.     He  is  lying  in  the  goose-house." 

Then  the  King's  Daughter  said  that  they  were  to  fetch  him 
immediately. 

So  they  brought  him ;  and  he  had  to  hold  his  little  smock  to- 
gether to  cover  himself. 

Her  servants  unpacked  splendid  garments,  and  washed  him 
and  dressed  him.  And  when  it  was  done,  no  King  could  have 
looked  more  handsome. 

Then  the  Princess  desired  to  see  the  horses,  which  the  other 
apprentices  had  brought  home  with  them.  One  of  them  was 
blind  and  the  other  lame.  So  she  ordered  her  servants  to  bring 
the  seventh  horse. 

When  the  miller  saw  it,  he  said  such  a  horse  as  that  had  never 
before  entered  his  yard. 

"  And  that  is  for  the  third  miller's  boy,"  said  she. 

"  Then  he  must  have  the  mill,"  said  the  miller. 

But  the  Princess  said  that  the  horse  was  for  himself,  and  that 
he  was  to  keep  his  mill  as  well.  Then  she  took  her  faithful 
Hans,  set  him  in  the  coach,  and  drove  away  with  him. 

They  first  drove  to  the  little  house,  which  he  had  built  with 

[138] 


THE  POOR  MILLER'S  BOY  AND  THE  CAT 

the  silver  tools.  Behold!  it  was  a  great  castle!  Everything 
inside  it  was  of  silver  and  gold ! 

Then  she  married  him;  and  he  was  rich,  so  rich  that  he  had 
enough  for  all  the  rest  of  his  life. 

After  this,  let  no  one  say  that  any  one  who  is  silly  can  never 
become  a  person  of  importance. 


[139] 


LITTLE  RED-CAP 


ONCE  upon  a  time,  there  was  a  sweet  little  girl,  who  was 
loved  by  every  one  who  looked  at  her,  and  most  of  all 
by  her  Grandmother.  There  was  nothing  that  she 
would  not  have  given  the  child ! 

Once  she  gave  her  a  little  cap  of  red  velvet,  which  suited  her 
so  well  that  she  would  not  wear  anything  else.  So  she  was 
always  called  Little  Red-Cap. 

One  day,  her  Mother  said  to  her,  "  Come,  Little  Red-Cap, 
here  is  a  piece  of  cake  and  a  bottle  of  wine.  Take  them  to  your 
Grandmother.  She  is  ill  and  weak,  and  the}'-  will  do  her  good. 
Set  out  before  it  gets  hot.  Walk  nicely  and  quietly.  Do  not 
run  off  the  path,  or  you  may  fall  and  break  the  bottle;  then 
your  Grandmother  will  get  nothing!  When  you  go  into  her 
room,  don't  forget  to  say  '  Good  morning,'  and  don't  stop  to 
peep  into  every  corner,  before  you  do  it." 

"  I'll  take  great  care,"  said  Little  Red-Cap  to  her  Mother, 
and  gave  her  hand  on  it. 

The  Grandmother  lived  in  the  wood,  half  an  hour's  distance 

from  the  village,  and  just  as  Little  Red-Cap  entered  the  wood, 

[  140  ] 


LITTLE  RED-CAP 

a  Wolf  met  her.  Red-Cap  did  not  know  what  a  wicked  crea- 
ture he  was,  and  was  not  at  all  afraid  of  him. 

"  Good-day,  Little  Red-Cap,"  said  he. 

"  Thank  you  kindly,  Wolf." 

"Whither  away  so  early,  Little  Red-Cap?" 

"  To  my  Grandmother's." 

"  What  have  you  got  in  your  apron?  " 

"  Cake  and  wine.  Yesterday  was  baking-day,  so  poor  sick 
Grandmother  is  to  have  something  good,  to  make  her 
stronger." 

"  Where  does  your  Grandmother  live,  Little  Red-Cap?  " 

"  A  good  quarter  of  an  hour  farther  on  in  the  wood.  Her 
house  stands  under  the  three  large  oak-trees ;  the  nut-trees  are 
just  below.  You  surely  must  know  it,"  replied  Little  Red- 
Cap. 

The  Wolf  thought  to  himself,  "  What  a  tender  young  crea- 
ture! what  a  nice  plump  mouthful — she  will  be  better  to  eat 
than  the  old  woman.     I  must  act  craftily,  so  as  to  catch  both." 

He  walked  for  a  short  time  by  the  side  of  Little  Red-Cap, 
and  then  he  said,  "  See,  Little  Red-Cap,  how  pretty  the  flowers 
are  about  here — why  do  you  not  look  round?  I  believe,  too, 
that  you  do  not  hear  how  sweetly  the  little  birds  are  singing. 
You  walk  gravely  along  as  if  you  were  going  to  school,  while 
everything  else  in  the  wood  is  merry." 

Little  Red-Cap  raised  her  eyes,  and  when  she  saw  the  sun- 
beams dancing  here  and  there  through  the  trees,  and  pretty 
flowers  growing  everywhere,  she  thought,  "  Suppose  I  take 
Grandmother  a  fresh  nosegay.     That  would  please  her  too. 

It  is  so  early  in  the  day  that  I  shall  still  get  there  in  good  time." 

[  141  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

And  so  she  ran  from  the  path  into  the  wood  to  look  for 
flowers.  And  whenever  she  had  picked  one,  she  fancied  that 
she  saw  a  still  prettier  one  farther  on,  and  ran  after  it,  and  thus 
got  deeper  and  deeper  into  the  wood. 

Meanwhile,  the  Wolf  ran  straight  to  the  Grandmother's 
house  and  knocked  at  the  door. 

"Who  is  there?" 

"  Little  Red-Cap,"  replied  the  Wolf.  "  She  is  bringing 
cake  and  wine.     Open  the  door." 

"  Lift  the  latch,"  called  out  the  Grandmother,  "  I  am  too 
weak,  and  cannot  get  up." 

The  Wolf  lifted  the  latch,  the  door  flew  open,  and  without 
saying  a  word  he  went  straight  to  the  Grandmother's  bed,  and 
devoured  her.  Then  he  put  on  her  clothes,  dressed  himself  in 
her  cap,  laid  himself  in  bed,  and  drew  the  curtains. 

Little  Red-Cap,  however,  had  been  running  about  picking 
flowers.  When  she  had  gathered  so  many  that  she  could  carry 
no  more,  she  remembered  her  Grandmother,  and  set  out  on  the 
way  to  her. 

She  was  surprised  to  find  the  cottage-door  standing  open. 
And  when  she  went  into  the  room,  she  had  such  a  strange  feel- 
ing, that  she  said  to  herself,  "  Oh  dear!  how  uneasy  I  feel  to- 
day, and  at  other  times  I  like  being  with  Grandmother  so 
much." 

She  called  out,  "  Good  morning,"  but  received  no  answer. 
So  she  went  to  the  bed  and  drew  back  the  curtains.  There  lay 
her  Grandmother  with  her  cap  pulled  far  over  her  face,  and 
looking  very  strange. 

"  Oh!  Grandmother,"  she  said,  "  what  big  ears  you  have! ' 

[142] 


t( 


<< 


LITTLE  RED-CAP 

"  The  better  to  hear  you  with,  my  Child,"  was  the  reply. 

"  But,  Grandmother,  what  big  eyes  you  have!."  she  said. 
The  better  to  see  you  with,  my  dear." 
But,  Grandmother,  what  large  hands  you'  have !  " 

"  The  better  to  hug  you  with." 

"  Oh !  but,  Grandmother,  what  a  terrible  big  mouth  you 
have!" 

"  The  better  to  eat  j^ou  with !  "  And  scarcely  had  the  Wolf 
said  this,  than  with  one  bound  he  was  out  of  bed  and  swallowed 
up  Red-Cap. 

When  the  Wolf  had  satisfied  his  appetite,  he  lay  down  again 
in  the  bed,  fell  asleep  and  began  to  snore  very  loud.  The 
huntsman  was  just  passing  the  house,  and  thought  to  himself, 
"  How  the  old  woman  is  snoring!  I  must  just  see  if  she  wants 
anything." 

So  he  went  into  the  room,  and  when  he  came  to  the  bed,  he 
saw  the  Wolf  lying  in  it.  "  Do  I  find  thee  here,  thou  old 
sinner !  "  said  he.    "  I  have  long  sought  thee !  " 

Then  just  as  he  was  going  to  fire  at  him,  it  occurred  to  him 
that  the  Wolf  might  have  devoured  the  grandmother,  and  that 
she  might  still  be  saved.  So  he  did  not  fire,  but  took  a  pair  of 
scissors,  and  began  to  cut  open  the  stomach  of  the  sleeping 
Wolf. 

When  he  had  made  two  snips,  he  saw  the  little  Red-Cap 
shining,  and  then  he  made  two  snips  more,  and  the  little  girl 
sprang  out,  crying,  "Ah,  how  frightened  I  have  been!  How 
dark  it  was  inside  the  Wolf!  " 

And  after  that  the  aged  grandmother  came  out  alive  also, 

but  scarcely  able  to  breathe. 

[143] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Red-Cap  then  quickly  fetched  great  stones  with  which  they 
filled  the  Wolf's  body.  And  when  he  awoke,  he  wanted  to  run 
away,  but  the  stones  were  so  heavy  that  he  tumbled  down  at 
once,  and  fell  dead. 

Then  all  three  were  delighted.  The  huntsman  drew  off  the 
Wolf's  skin  and  went  home  with  it.  The  grandmother  ate  the 
cake  and  drank  the  wine  which  Red-Cap  had  brought,  and 
grew  strong  again. 

But  Red-Cap  thought  to  herself,  "As  long  as  I  live,  I  will 
never  leave  the  path  to  run  into  the  wood,  when  my  mother  has 
forbidden  me  to  do  so." 


[144] 


KING  THRUSHBEARD 


A  KING  had  a  daughter  who  was  beautiful  beyond  all 
measure,  but  so  proud  and  haughty  withal  that  no 
suitor  was  good  enough  for  her.     She  sent  away  one 
after  the  other,  and  made  fun  of  them  as  well. 

Once  the  King  gave  a  great  feast  and  invited  thereto,  from 
far  and  near,  all  the  young  men  likely  to  marry.  They  were 
marshalled  in  a  row  according  to  their  rank  and  standing. 
First  came  the  Kings,  then  the  Grand-dukes,  then  the  Princes, 
the  Earls,  the  Barons,  and  the  gentry. 

Then  the  King's  Daughter  was  led  through  the  ranks,  but 
to  every  one  she  had  some  objection  to  make.  One  was  too  fat, 
"  The  wine-cask,"  she  said.  Another  was  too  tall,  "  Long  and 
thin  has  little  in."  The  third  was  too  short,  "  Short  and  thick 
is  never  quick."  The  fourth  was  too  pale,  "As  pale  as  death." 
The  fifth  too  red,  "A  fighting-cock."  The  sixth  was  not 
straight  enough,  "A  green  log  dried  behind  the  stove." 

So  she  had  something  to  say  against  every  one.  But  she 
made  herself  especially  merry  over  a  good  King,  who  stood 

quite  high  up  in  the  row,  and  whose  chin  had  grown  a  little 

[145] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

crooked.  "  Well,"  she  cried  and  laughed,  "  he  has  a  chin  like 
a  thrush's  beak!  "  and  from  that  time  he  got  the  name  of  King 
Thrushbeard. 

But  the  old  King,  when  he  saw  that  his  daughter  did  nothing 
but  mock  people,  and  despised  all  the  suitors  who  were  gath- 
ered there,  was  very  angry,  and  swore  that  she  should  have  for 
her  husband  the  very  first  beggar  that  came  to  his  doors. 

A  few  days  afterward,  a  fiddler  came  and  sang  beneath  the 
windows,  trying  to  earn  a  small  alms.  When  the  King  heard 
him,  he  said,  "  Let  him  come  up." 

So  the  fiddler  came  up,  in  his  dirty,  ragged  clothes,  and  sang 
before  the  King  and  his  daughter.  When  he  had  ended  he 
asked  for  a  trifling  gift. 

The  King  said,  "  Your  song  has  pleased  me  so  well  that  I 
will  give  you  my  daughter  there,  to  wife." 

The  King's  Daughter  shuddered,  but  the  King  said,  "  I  have 
taken  an  oath  to  give  you  to  the  very  first  beggar  man,  and  I 
will  keep  it." 

All  she  could  say  was  in  vain;  the  priest  was  brought,  and 
she  had  to  let  herself  be  wedded  to  the  fiddler  on  the  spot. 

When  that  was  done  the  King  said,  "  Now  it  is  not  proper 
for  you,  a  beggar  woman,  to  stay  any  longer  in  my  palace,  you 
may  go  away  with  your  husband." 

The  beggar  man  led  her  out  by  the  hand,  and  she  was 
obliged  to  go  away  on  foot  with  him.  When  they  came  to  a 
large  forest  she  asked,  "  To  whom  does  that  beautiful  forest 
belong?  " 

"  It  belongs  to  King  Thrushbeard.     If  you  had  taken  him, 

it  would  have  been  yours." 

[146] 


WELL,"  SHE  LAUGHED,      HE  HAS  A  CHIN    LIKE  A  THRUSH'S  BEAK' 


KING  THRUSHBEARD 

"Ah,  unhappy  girl  that  I  am!  If  I  had  but  taken  King 
Thrushbeard!" 

Afterward,  they  came  to  a  meadow,  and  she  asked  again, 
"  To  whom  does  this  beautiful  green  meadow  belong? ' 

"  It  belongs  to  King  Thrushbeard.  If  you  had  taken  him, 
it  would  have  been  yours." 

"Ah,  unhappy  girl  that  I  am!  If  I  had  but  taken  King 
Thrushbeard!" 

Then  they  came  to  a  large  town,  and  she  asked  again,  "  To 
whom  does  this  fine  large  town  belong?  " 

"  It  belongs  to  King  Thrushbeard.  If  you  had  taken  him, 
it  would  have  been  yours." 

"Ah,  unhappy  girl  that  I  am!  If  I  had  but  taken  King 
Thrushbeard!" 

"  It  does  not  please  me,"  said  the  fiddler,  "  to  hear  you 
always  wishing  for  another  husband.  Am  I  not  good  enough 
for  you? " 

At  last  they  came  to  a  very  little  hut,  and  she  said,  "  Oh,, 
goodness !  what  a  small  house !  To  whom  does  this  miserable, 
mean  hovel  belong? " 

The  fiddler  answered,  "  That  is  my  house  and  yours,  where 
we  shall  live  together." 

She  had  to  stoop  in  order  to  go  in  at  the  low  door.  "  Where 
are  the  servants?  "  said  the  King's  Daughter. 

"  What  servants?  "  answered  the  beggar  man.  "  You  must 
do  what  you  wish  to  have  done.  Just  make  a  fire  at  once,  and 
set  on  water  to  cook  my  supper.    I  am  quite  tired." 

But  the  King's  Daughter  knew  nothing  about  lighting  fires 

or  cooking,  and  the  beggar  man  had  to  lend  a  hand  himself  to 

[147] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

get  anything  fairly  clone.  When  they  had  finished  their  scanty 
meal  they  went  to  bed ;  but  he  forced  her  to  get  up  quite  early 
in  the  morning  in  order  to  look  after  the  house. 

For  a  few  days,  they  lived  in  this  way  as  well  as  might  be, 
and  ate  up  all  the  food  in  the  house. 

Then  the  man  said,  "  Wife,  we  cannot  go  on  any  longer  eat- 
ing and  drinking  here  and  earning  nothing.  You  must  weave 
baskets." 

He  went  out,  cut  some  willows,  and  brought  them  home. 
Then  she  began  to  weave,  but  the  tough  willows  wounded  her 
delicate  hands. 

"  I  see  that  this  will  not  do,"  said  the  man;  "  you  had  better 
spin;  perhaps  you  can  do  that." 

She  sat  down  and  tried  to  spin,  but  the  hard  thread  soon  cut 
her  soft  fingers  so  that  the  blood  ran  down. 

"  See,"  said  the  man,  "  you  are  fit  for  no  sort  of  work.  I 
have  made  a  bad  bargain  with  you.  Now,  I  will  try  to  earn  a 
living  by  selling  pots  and  earthenware.  You  must  sit  in  the 
market-place  and  sell  the  ware." 

"Alas,"  thought  she,  "  if  any  of  the  people  from  my  father's 
kingdom  come  to  the  market  and  see  me  sitting  there,  selling, 
how  they  will  mock  me! "  But  it  was  of  no  use,  she  had  to 
yield  unless  she  chose  to  die  of  hunger. 

For  the  first  time,  she  succeeded  well,  for  the  people  were 
glad  to  buy  the  woman's  wares  because  she  was  good-looking, 
and  they  paid  her  what  she  asked.  Many  even  gave  her  the 
money  and  left  the  pots  with  her  as  well.  So  they  lived  on 
what  she  had  earned  as  long  as  it  lasted. 

Then  the  husband  bought  a  lot  of  new  crockery.     With  this 

[148] 


KING  THRUSHBEARD 

she  sat  down  at  the  corner  of  the  market-place,  and  set  it 
around  her  ready  for  sale.  But  suddenly  there  came  a  drunken 
soldier  galloping  along,  and  he  rode  right  amongst  the  pots,  so 
that  they  were  all  broken  into  a  thousand  bits. 

She  began  to  weep,  and  did  not  know  what  to  do  for  fear. 
"Alas!  what  will  happen  to  me?"  cried  she;  "what  will  my 
husband  say  to  this?  "  She  ran  home  and  told  him  of  the  mis- 
fortune. 

"  Who  would  seat  herself  at  a  corner  of  the  market-place 
with  crockery? "  said  the  man.  "  Leave  off  crying.  I  see 
very  well  that  you  cannot  do  ordinary  work,  so  I  have  been  to 
our  King's  palace  and  have  asked  whether  they  cannot  find  a 
place  for  a  kitchen-maid.  They  have  promised  me  to  take  you. 
In  that  way,  you  will  get  your  food  for  nothing." 

The  King's  Daughter  was  now  a  kitchen-maid,  and  had  to 
be  at  the  cook's  beck  and  call,  and  do  the  dirtiest  work.  In 
each  of  her  pockets  she  fastened  a  little  jar,  in  which  she  took 
home  her  share  of  the  leavings,  and  upon  this  they  lived. 

It  happened  that  the  wedding  of  the  King's  eldest  son  was 
to  be  celebrated.  So  the  poor  woman  went  up  and  placed  her- 
self by  the  door  of  the  hall  to  look  on.  When  all  the  candles 
were  lit,  and  people,  each  more  beautiful  than  the  other,  en- 
tered, and  all  was  full  of  pomp  and  splendor,  she  thought  of 
her  lot  with  a  sad  heart,  and  cursed  the  pride  and  haughtiness 
which  had  humbled  her,  and  brought  her  to  so  great  poverty. 

The  smell  of  the  delicious  dishes  which  were  being  taken  in 

and  out  reached  her,  and  now  and  then  the  servants  threw  her 

a  few  morsels.     These  she  put  in  her  jars  to  take  home. 

All  at  once,  the  King's  Son  entered,  clothed  in  velvet  and 

[  149  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

silk,  with  gold  chains  about  his  neck.  And  when  he  saw  the 
beautiful  woman  standing  by  the  door  he  seized  her  by  the 
hand,  and  would  have  danced  with  her.  But  she  refused  and 
shrank  back  with  fear,  for  she  saw  that  it  was  King  Thrush- 
beard,  her  suitor  whom  she  had  driven  away  with  scorn. 

Her  struggles  were  of  no  use;  he  drew  her  into  the  hall. 
But  the  string  by  which  her  pockets  were  fastened,  broke,  the 
pots  fell  down,  the  soup  ran  out,  and  the  scraps  were  scattered 
all  around.  And  when»the  people  saw  it,  there  arose  laughter 
and  derision,  and  she  was  so  ashamed  that  she  would  rather 
have  been  a  thousand  fathoms  below  ground. 

She  sprang  to  the  door  and  would  have  run  away,  but  on  the 
stairs  a  man  caught  her  and  brought  her  back.  And  when  she 
looked  at  him  it  was  King  Thrushbeard! 

He  said  to  her  kindly,  "  Do  not  be  afraid,  I  and  the  fiddler 
who  has  been  living  with  you  in  that  wretched  hovel  are  one. 
For  love  of  you  I  disguised  myself  so.  And  I,  also,  was  the 
soldier  who  rode  through  your  crockery.  This  was  all  done  to 
humble  your  proud  spirit,  and  to  punish  you  for  the  insolence 
with  which  you  mocked  me." 

Then  she  wept  bitterly  and  said,  "  I  have  done  great  wrong, 
and  am  not  worthy  to  be  your  wife." 

But  he  said,  "  Be  comforted.  The  evil  days  are  past.  Now 
we  will  celebrate  our  wedding." 

Then  the  maids-in-waiting  came,  and  put  the  most  splendid 
clothing  on  her.  Her  father  and  his  whole  Court  arrived,  and 
wished  her  happiness  in  her  marriage  to  King  Thrushbeard. 
And  the  joy  now  began  in  earnest.     I  wish  you  and  I  had  been 

there  too! 

[150] 


THE  GOLD-CHILDREN 


THERE  was  once  a  poor  man  and  a  poor  woman  who 
had  nothing  but  a  little  cottage.  They  earned  their 
bread  by  fishing,  and  always  lived  from  hand  to  mouth. 

But  it  came  to  pass  one  day,  when  the  man  was  sitting  by 
the  waterside  and  casting  his  net,  that  he  drew  out  a  fish  en- 
tirely of  gold, 

As  he  was  looking  at  the  fish,  full  of  astonishment,  it  began 
to  speak  and  said,  "  Hark  you,  Fisherman,  if  you  will  throw 
me  back  again  into  the  water,  I  will  change  your  little  hut  into 
a  splendid  castle." 

Then  the  fisherman  answered,  "  Of  what  use  is  a  castle  to 
me,  if  I  have  nothing  to  eat?  " 

The  Gold  Fish  continued,  "  That  shall  be  taken  care  of. 
There  will  be  a  cupboard  in  the  castle  in  which,  when  you  open 
it,  shall  be  dishes  of  the  most  delicate  meats,  and  as  many  of 
them  as  you  may  desire." 

"  If  that  be  true,"  said  the  man,  "  then  I  can  well  do  you  a 

favor." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  Fish,  "  there  is,  however,  the  condition  that 

[151] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

you  shall  tell  no  one  in  the  world,  whosoever  he  may  be,  whence 
your  good  luck  has  come.  If  you  speak  but  one  single  word, 
all  will  be  over." 

Then  the  man  threw  the  wonderful  Fish  back  again  into  the 
water,  and  went  home. 

Where  his  hovel  had  formerly  stood,  now  stood  a  great 
castle.  He  opened  wide  his  eyes,  entered,  and  saw  his  wife 
dressed  in  beautiful  clothes,  sitting  in  a  splendid  room. 

She  was  quite  delighted,  and  said,  "  Husband,  how  has  all 
this  come  to  pass?     It  suits  me  very  well." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  man,  "  it  suits  me  too.  But  I  am  frightfully 
hungry,  just  give  me  something  to  eat." 

Said  the  wife,  "  But  I  have  got  nothing  and  don't  know 
where  to  find  anything  in  this  new  house." 

"  There  is  no  need  of  your  knowing,"  said  the  man,  "  for  I 
see  yonder  a  great  cupboard,  just  unlock  it." 

When  she  opened  it,  lo!  there  stood  cakes,  meat,  fruit, 
wine. 

Then  the  woman  cried  joyfully,  "  What  more  can  you  want, 
my  dear?  "  and  they  sat  down,  and  ate  and  drank  together. 

When  they  had  had  enough,  the  woman  said,  "  But,  Hus- 
band, whence  come  all  these  riches?  " 

"Alas,"  answered  he,  "  do  not  question  me  about  it,  for  I 
dare  not  tell  you  anything.  If  I  disclose  it  to  any  one,  then 
all  our  good  fortune  will  fly." 

"  Very  good,"  said  she,  "  if  I  am  not  to  know  anything,  then 
I  do  not  want  to  know  anything." 

However,  she  was  not  in  earnest.     She  never  rested  day  or 

night,  and  she  goaded  her  husband  until  in  his  impatience  he 

[152] 


THE  GOLD-CHILDREN 

revealed  that  all  was  owing  to  a  wonderful  Gold  Fish  which  he 
had  caught,  and  to  which  in  return  he  had  given  its  liberty. 

And  as  soon  as  the  secret  was  out,  the  splendid  castle  with 
the  cupboard  immediately  disappeared.  They  were  once  more 
in  the  old  fisherman's  hut,  and  the  man  was  obliged  to  follow  his 
former  trade  and  fish. 

But  fortune  would  so  have  it,  that  he  once  more  drew  out  the 
Gold  Fish.  "  Listen,"  said  the  Fish,  "  if  you  will  throw  me 
back  into  the  water  again,  I  will  once  more  give  you  the  castle 
with  the  cupboard  full  of  roast  and  boiled  meats.  Only  be 
firm;  for  your  life's  sake  don't  reveal  from  whom  you  have  it, 
or  you  will  lose  it  all  again!  " 

"  I  will  take  good  care,"  answered  the  fisherman,  and  threw 
the  fish  back  into  the  water. 

Now  at  home,  everything  was  once  more  in  its  former  mag- 
nificence. The  wife  was  overjoyed  at  their  good  fortune.  But 
curiosity  left  her  no  peace,  so  that  after  a  couple  of  days  she 
began  to  ask  again  how  it  had  come  to  pass,  and  how  he  had 
managed  to  secure  it. 

The  man  kept  silence  for  a  short  time,  but  at  last  she  made 
him  so  angry  that  he  broke  out  and  betrayed  the  secret.  In  an 
instant  the  castle  disappeared,  and  they  were  back  again  in  their 
old  hut. 

"  Now  you  have  got  what  you  want,"  said  he;  "  and  we  can 
gnaw  at  a  bare  bone  again." 

"  Ah,"  said  the  woman,  "  I  had  rather  have  no  riches;  if  I  am 
not  to  know  from  whom  they  come,  then  I  have  no  peace." 

The  man  went  back  to  fish,  and  after  a  while  he  chanced  to 

draw  out  the  Gold  Fish  for  a  third  time. 

[153] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"  Listen,"  said  the  Fish,  "  I  see  very  well  that  I  am  fated  to 
fall  into  your  hands.  Take  me  home  and  cut  me  into  six 
pieces.  Give  your  wife  two  of  them  to  eat,  two  to  your  horse, 
and  bury  two  of  them  in  the  ground.  Then  they  will  bring  you 
a  blessing." 

The  fisherman  took  the  Fish  home  with  him,  and  did  as  it 
had  bidden  him. 

It  came  to  pass  that  from  the  two  pieces  that  were  buried  in 
the  ground,  two  Golden  Lilies  sprang  up;  that  the  horse  had 
two  Golden  Foals;  and  the  fisherman's  wife  bore  two  children 
who  were  made  entirely  of  gold. 

The  children  grew  up,  became  tall  and  handsome,  and  the 
lilies  and  horses  grew  likewise. 

Then  the  lads  said,  "  Father,  we  want  to  mount  our  Golden 
Steeds  and  travel  out  in  the  world." 

But  he  answered  sorrowfully,  "  How  shall  I  bear  it,  if  you 
go  away  and  I  know  not  how  it  fares  with  you?  " 

Then  they  said,  "  The  two  Golden  Lilies  remain  here.  By 
them  you  may  see  how  it  is  with  us.  If  they  are  fresh,  then  we 
are  in  health.  If  they  are  withered,  we  are  ill.  If  they  perish, 
then  we  are  dead." 

So  they  rode  forth  and  came  to  an  inn,  in  which  were  many 
people.  They  perceived  the  Gold-Children  and  began  to 
laugh,  and  jeer. 

When  one  of  them  heard  the  mocking  he  felt  ashamed  and 

would  not  go  out  into  the  world,  but  turned  back  and  went 

home  again  to  his  father.     But  the  other  rode  forward  and 

reached  a  great  forest. 

As  he  was  about  to  enter  it,  the  people  said,  "  It  is  not  safe 

[154] 


THE   MAIDEN  SAID,       I  WILL  BE  TRUE   TO    YOU,  YOUR  LIFE   LONG' 


rlHE  GOLD-CHILDREN 

for  you  to  ride  throw 'h;  the  wood  is  full  of  robbers,  who  would 
treat  you  badly.  You  will  fare  ill.  When  they  see  that  you 
are  all  of  gold  and  your  "'orse  likewise,  they  will  assuredly  kill 
you." 

But  he  would  not  allow  hi.nself  to  be  frightened,  and  said, 
"  I  must  and  will  ride  through  ii  " 

Then  he  took  bear-skins  au  1  covered  himself  and  his  horse 
with  them,  so  that  the  gold  wa>  not  seen,  and  rode  fearlessly 
into  the  forest.  When  he  had  ridci^n  onward  a  little,  he 
heard  a  rustling  in  the  bushes,  ana  heard  voices  speaking  to- 
gether. 

From  one  side  came  cries  of,  "  There  is  one !  "  but  from  the 
other,  "  Let  him  go!  'tis  an  idle  fellow,  as"  poor  and  bare  as  a 
church-mouse.     What  should  we  gain  from  him? ' 

So  the  Gold-Child  rode  joyfully  through  the  forest,  and  no 
evil  befell  him. 

One  day  he  entered  a  village  wherein  he  saw  a  maiden,  who 
was  so  beautiful  that  he  did  not  believe  that  any  more  beautiful 
than  she  existed  in  the  world. 

And  as  such  a  mighty  love  took  possession  of  him,  he  went 
up  to  her  and  said,  "  I  love  you  with  my  whole  heart.  Will 
you  be  my  wife?  " 

He,  too,  pleased  the  maiden  so  much  that  she  agreed  and 
said,  "  Yes,  I  will  be  your  wife,  and  be  true  to  you  your  whole 
life  long." 

They  were  married.  Then  just  as  they  were  in  the  greatest 
happiness,  home  came  the  father  of  the  Bride.  When  he  saw 
that  his  daughter's  wedding  was  being  celebrated,  he  was  aston- 
ished, and  said,  "  Where  is  the  Bridegroom?  " 

[155] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

They  showed  him  the  Gold-Child,  who,  however,  still  wore 
his  bear-skins. 

Then  the  father  said  wrathfully,  "A  vagabond  shall  never 
have  my  daughter!  "  and  was  about  to  kill  him. 

Then  the  Bride  begged  as  hard  as  she  could,  and  said,  "  He 
is  my  husband,  and  I  love  him  with  all  my  heart !  "  until  at  last 
he  allowed  himself  to  be  appeased. 

Nevertheless  the  idea  never  left  his  thoughts,  so  that  next 
morning  he  rose  early,  wishing  to  see  whether  his  daughter's 
husband  was  a  common  ragged  beggar.  But  when  he  peeped 
in,  he  saw  a  magnificent  golden  man  in  the  bed,  and  the  cast-off 
bear-skins  lying  on  the  ground. 

Then  he  went  back,  and  thought,  "  What  a  good  thing  it  was 
that  I  restrained  my  anger!     I  should  have  committed  a  great 


crime." 


But  the  Gold-Child  dreamed  that  he  rode  out  to  the  chase  of 
a  splendid  stag,  and  when  he  awoke  in  the  morning,  he  said  to 
Lis  wife,  "  I  must  go  out  hunting." 

She  was  uneasy,  and  begged  him  to  stay  there,  and  said, 
"  You  might  easily  meet  with  a  great  misfortune." 

But  he  answered,  "  I  must  and  will  go." 

Thereupon  he  got  up,  and  rode  forth  into  the  forest.  It  was 
not  long  before  a  fine  stag  crossed  his  path  exactly  according  to 
his  dream.  He  aimed  and  was  about  to  shoot  it,  when  the  stag 
ran  away.  He  gave  chase  over  hedges  and  ditches  for  the 
whole  day  without  feeling  tired.  In  the  evening  the  stag  van- 
ished from  his  sight,  and  when  the  Gold-Child  looked  round 
him,  he  was  standing  before  a  little  house,   wherein  was  a 

Witch. 

[156] 


THE  GOLD-CHILDREN 

He  knocked,  and  a  little  old  woman  came  out  and  asked, 
"  What  are  you  doing  so  late  in  the  midst  of  the  great  forest?  " 

"  Have  you  not  seen  a  stag?  " 

"  Yes,"  answered  she,  "  I  know  the  stag  well,"  and  there- 
upon a  little  dog  which  had  come  out  of  the  house  with  her, 
barked  at  the  man  violently. 

'  Will  you  be  silent,  you  odious  toad,"  said  he,  "  or  I  will 
shoot  vou  dead." 

Then  the  Witch  cried  out  in  a  passion,  "  What!  will  you  slay 
my  little  dog? "  and  immediately  she  transformed  him,  so  that 
he  lav  like  a  stone. 

Meanwhile  his  Bride  awaited  him  in  vain,  and  thought, 
"  That  which  I  so  greatly  dreaded,  which  lay  so  heavily  on  my 
heart,  has  come  upon  him !  " 

But  at  home,  the  other  brother  was  standing  by  the  Gold- 
Lilies,  when  one  of  them  suddenly  drooped.  "Alas !  "  said  he, 
"my  brother  has  met  with  some  great  misfortune!  I  must 
away  to  see  if  I  can  possibly  rescue  him." 

Then  he  mounted  his  Golden  Horse,  and  rode  forth  and 
entered  the  great  forest,  where  his  brother  lay  turned  to  stone. 
The  old  Witch  came  out  of  her  house  and  called  him,  wishing 
to  entrap  him  also. 

He  did  not  go  near  her,  but  said,  "  I  will  shoot  you,  if  you 
do  not  bring  my  brother  to  life  again." 

She  touched  the  stone,  though  very  unwillingly,  with  her 
forefinger.  Then  he  was  immediately  restored  to  his  human 
shape. 

The  two  Gold-Children  rejoiced,  when  they  saw  each  other 

again.     They  kissed  and  caressed  each  other,  and  rode  away 

[157] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

together  out  of  the  forest,  the  one  home  to  his  Bride,  the  other 
to  his  father. 

The  father  then  said,  "  I  knew  well  that  you  had  rescued 
your  brother,  for  the  Golden  Lily  suddenly  rose  up  and  blos- 
somed out  again." 

Then  they  lived  happily,  and  all  prospered  with  them  until 
their  death. 


[158] 


|£i 


LITTLE  SNOW-WHITE 


ONCE  upon  a  time,  in  the  middle  of  winter,  when  the 
flakes  of  snow  were  falling  like  feathers  from  the  sky, 
a  Queen  sat  at  a  window  sewing,  and  the  frame  of  the 
window  was  made  of  black  ebony. 

And  whilst  she  was  sewing  and  looking  out  of  the  window  at 
the  snow,  she  pricked  her  finger  with  the  needle,  and  three 
drops  of  blood  fell  upon  the  snow.  And  the  red  looked  pretty 
upon  the  white  snow,  and  she  thought  to  herself,  "  Would  that 
I  had  a  child  as  white  as  snow,  as  red  as  blood,  and  as  black  as 
the  wood  of  the  window-frame." 

Soon  after  that  she  had  a  little  daughter,  who  was  as  white 
as  snow,  and  as  red  as  blood,  and  her  hair  was  as  black  as  ebony. 
She  was  therefore  called  little  Snow- White.  And  when  the 
child  was  born,  the  Queen  died. 

After  a  year  had  passed  the  King  took  to  himself  another 

wife.     She  was  a  beautiful  woman,  but  proud  and  haughty, 

and  she  could  not  bear  that  any  one  else  should  surpass  her  in 

beauty.     She  had  a  wonderful  looking-glass,  and  when  she 

stood  in  front  of  it  and  looked  at  herself  in  it,  and  said: 

[159] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"Looking -Glass,  Looking -Glass,  on  the  wall, 
Who  in  this  land  is  the  fairest  of  all?  " 

the  Looting-Glass  answered: 

'Thou,  0  Queen,  art  the  fairest  of  all!  " 


<a 


Then  she  was  satisfied,  for  she  knew  that  the  Looking-Glass 
spoke  the  truth. 

But  little  Snow- White  was  growing  up,  and  grew  more  and 
more  beautiful.  When  she  was  seven  years  old  she  was  as 
beautiful  as  the  day,  and  more  beautiful  than  the  Queen  her- 
self.    And  once  when  the  Queen  asked  her  Looking-Glass: 

"Looking-Glass,  Looking-Glass,  on  the  wall, 
Who  in  this  land  is  the  fairest  of  all?  " 

it  answered: 

"Thou  art  fairer  than  all  who  are  here,  Lady  Queen.* J 
But  more  beautiful  still  is  Snow-White,  I  ween." 

Then  the  Queen  was  shocked,  and  turned  yellow  and  green 
with  envy.  From  that  hour,  whenever  she  looked  at  little 
Snow- White,  her  heart  heaved  in  her  breast,  she  hated  the 
maiden  so  much. 

And  envy  and  pride  grew  higher  and  higher  in  her  heart  like 
a  weed,  so  that  she  had  no  peace  day  or  night.  She  called  a 
huntsman,  and  said,  "  Take  the  child  away  into  the  forest.  I 
will  no  longer  have  her  in  my  sight.     Kill  her." 

The  huntsman  obeyed,  and  took  her  away.  But  when  he 
had  drawn  his  knife,  and  was  about  to  pierce  little  Snow- 
White's  innocent  heart,  she  began  to  weep,  and  said,  "Ah,  dear 
Huntsman,  leave  me  my  life!     I  will  run  away  into  the  wild 

forest,  and  never  come  home  again." 

[160] 


LITTLE  SNOW-WHITE 

And  as  she  was  so  beautiful,  the  huntsman  had  pity  on  her 
and  said,  "  Run  away,  then,  you  poor  child."  "  The  wild 
beasts  will  soon  have  devoured  you,"  thought  he,  and  yet  it 
seemed  as  if  a  stone  had  been  rolled  from  his  heart  since  it  was 
no  longer  needful  for  him  to  kill  her. 

But  now,  the  poor  child  was  all  alone  in  the  great  forest,  and 
so  terrified  that  she  looked  at  every  leaf  of  every  tree,  and  did 
not  know  what  to  do.  Then  she  began  to  run,  and  ran  over 
sharp  stones  and  through  thorns,  and  the  wild  beasts  ran  past 
her,  but  did  her  no  harm. 

She  ran  as  long  as  her  feet  would  go,  until  it  was  almost 
evening.  Then  she  saw  a  little  cottage  and  went  into  it  to  rest 
herself.  Everything  in  the  cottage  was  small,  but  neater  and 
cleaner  than  can  be  told.  There  was  a  table  on  which  was  a 
white  cover,  and  seven  little  plates,  and  on  each  plate  a  little 
spoon.  Moreover,  there  were  seven  little  knives  and  forks, 
and  seven  little  mugs.  Against  the  wall  stood  seven  little  beds 
side  by  side,  and  covered  with  snow-white  counterpanes. 

Little  Snow-White  was  so  hungry  and  thirsty,  that  she  ate 
some  vegetables  and  bread  from  each  plate  and  drank  a  drop 
of  wine  out  of  each  mug,  for  she  did  not  wish  to  take  all  from 
one  only.  Then,  as  she  was  so  tired,  she  laid  herself  down  on 
one  of  the  little  beds,  but  none  of  them  suited  her.  One  was 
too  long,  another  too  short,  but  at  last  she  found  that  the  sev- 
enth one  was  right,  so  she  remained  in  it,  said  a  prayer  and 
went  to  sleep. 

When  it  was  quite  dark  the  owners  of  the  cottage  came  back. 

They  were  seven  Dwarfs  who  dug  and  delved  in  the  mountains 

for  ore.     They  lit  their  seven  candles,  and,  as  it  was  now  light 

[  161  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

within  the  cottage,  they  saw  that  some  one  had  been  there,  for 
everything  was  not  in  the  same  order  in  which  they  had  left  it. 
The  first  said,  "  Who  has  been  sitting  on  my  chair? " 
The  second,  "  Who  has  been  eating  off  my  plate? " 
The  third,  "  Who  has  been  taking  some  of  my  bread? " 
The  fourth,  "  Who  has  been  eating  my  vegetables?  " 
The  fifth,  "  Who  has  been  using  my  fork?  " 
The  sixth,  "  Who  has  been  cutting  with  my  knife?  " 
The  seventh,  "  Who  has  been  drinking  out  of  my  mug?  " 
Then  the  first  looked  round  and  saw  that  there  was  a  little 
hole  on  his  bed,  and  he  said,  "  Who  has  been  getting  into  my 
bed? " 

The  others  came  up  and  each  called  out,  "  Somebody  has 
been  lying  in  my  bed  too." 

But  the  seventh  when  he  looked  at  his  bed  saw  little  S now- 
White,  who  was  lying  fast  asleep  therein.  And  he  called  the 
others,  who  came  running  up,  and  they  cried  out  with  astonish- 
ment, and  brought  their  seven  little  candles  and  let  the  light 
fall  on  little  Snow- White. 

"  Oh,  oh!  "  cried  they,  "  what  a  lovely  child!  "  and  they  were 
so  glad  that  they  did  not  wake  her  up,  but  let  her  sleep  on  in 
the  bed.  And  the  seventh  Dwarf  slept  with  his  companions, 
one  hour  with  each,  and  so  got  through  the  night. 

The  next  morning,  little  Snow-White  awoke,  and  was 
frightened  when  she  saw  the  seven  Dwarfs.  But  they  were 
friendly  and  asked  her  what  her  name  was. 

"  My  name  is  little  Snow-White,"  she  answered. 

"  How  have  you  come  to  our  house?  "  said  the  Dwarfs. 

Then  she  told  them  that  the  wicked  Queen  had  wished  to 

[162] 


LITTLE  SNOW-WHITE 

have  her  killed,  but  that  the  huntsman  had  spared  her  life,  and 
that  she  had  run  for  the  whole  day,  until  at  last  she  had  found 
their  dwelling. 

The  Dwarfs  said,  "  If  you  will  take  care  of  our  house,  cook, 
make  the  beds,  wash,  sew,  and  knit,  and  if  you  will  keep  every- 
thing neat  and  clean,  you  may  stay  with  us  and  you  shall  want 
for  nothing." 

"  Yes,"  said  little  Snow- White,  "  with  all  my  heart,"  and 
she  stayed  with  them. 

She  kept  the  house  in  order  for  them.  In  the  mornings  they 
went  to  the  mountains  and  looked  for  copper  and  gold,  in  the 
evenings  they  came  back,  and  then  their  supper  had  to  be 
ready. 

The  maiden  was  alone  the  whole  day,  so  the  good  Dwarfs 
warned  her  and  said,  "  Beware  of  the  Queen,  she  will  soon 
know  that  you  are  here.     Be  sure  to  let  no  one  come  in." 

But  the  Queen,  believing  that  little  Snow-White  was  dead, 
could  not  but  think  that  she  herself  was  again  the  first  and  most 
beautiful  of  all.    She  went  to  her  Looking-Glass,  and  said: 

"  Looking -Glass,  Looking-Glass,  on  the  wall, 
Who  in  this  land  is  the  fairest  of  alii  " 

and  the  Glass  answered: 

"Oh,  Queen,  thou  art  fairest  of  all  I  see, 
But  over  the  hills,  where  the  Seven  Dwarfs  dwell, 
Little  Snow-White  is  alive  and  well, 
And  none  is  so  fair  as  she." 

Then  she  was  astounded,  for  she  knew  that  the  Looking- 
Glass  never  spoke  falsely,  and  she  knew  that  the  huntsman  had 

betrayed  her,  for  that  little  Snow-White  was  still  alive. 

[  163  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

And  so  she  thought  and  thought  again  how  she  might  kill 
her,  for  so  long  as  she  herself  was  not  the  fairest  in  the  whole 
land,  envy  let  her  have  no  rest.  And  when  she  had  at  last 
thought  of  something  to  do,  she  painted  her  face,  and  dressed 
herself  like  an  old  pedler-woman,  and  no  one  could  have  known 
her. 

In  this  disguise  she  went  over  the  Seven  Mountains  to  the 
Seven  Dwarfs,  and  knocked  at  the  door  and  cried,  "  Pretty 
things  to  sell,  very  cheap,  very  cheap !  " 

Little  Snow-White  looked  out  at  the  window,  and  called, 
"  Good-day,  my  dear  woman,  what  have  you  to  sell?  " 

"  Good  things,  pretty  things,"  she  answered;  "  stay-laces  of 
all  colors,"  and  she  pulled  out  one  which  was  woven  of  bright- 
colored  silk. 

"  I  may  let  the  worthy  old  woman  in,"  thought  little  S now- 
White,  and  she  unbolted  the  door  and  bought  the  pretty  laces. 

"  Child,"  said  the  old  woman,  "  what  a  fright  you  look. 
Come,  I  will  lace  you  properly  for  once." 

Little  Snow- White  had  no  suspicion,  but  stood  before  her, 
and  let  herself  be  laced  with  the  new  laces.  But  the  old  woman 
laced  so  quickly  and  laced  so  tightly  that  little  Snow- White 
lost  her  breath  and  fell  down  as  if  dead. 

"  Now  I  am  the  most  beautiful,"  said  the  Queen  to  herself, 
and  ran  away. 

Not  long  afterward,  in  the  evening,  the  Seven  Dwarfs  came 

home.    But  how  shocked  they  were  when  they  saw  their  dear 

little  Snow- White  lying  on  the  ground,  and  that  she  neither 

stirred  nor  moved,  and  seemed  to  be  dead.    They  lifted  her  up, 

and,  as  they  saw  that  she  was  laced  too  tightly,  they  cut  the 

[164] 


LITTLE  SNOW-WHITE 

laces.  Then  she  began  to  breathe  a  little,  and  after  a  while 
came  to  life  again. 

When  the  Dwarfs  heard  what  had  happened,  they  said, 
"  The  old  pedler-woman  was  no  one  else  than  the  wicked 
Queen.  Take  care  and  let  no  one  come  in  when  we  are  not 
with  you." 

But  the  wicked  woman,  when  she  had  reached  home,  went  in 
front  of  the  Glass  and  asked: 

"Looking -Glass,  Looking-Glass,  on  the  wall, 
Who  in  this  land  is  the  fairest  of  all?  " 

and  it  answered  as  before: 

"Oh,  Queen,  thou  art  fairest  of  all  I  see, 
But  over  the  hills,  where  the  Seven  Dwarfs  dwell, 
Little  Snow-Whit e  is  alive  and  well, 
And  none  is  so  fair  as  she." 

When  she  heard  that,  all  her  blood  rushed  to  her  heart  with 
fear,  for  she  saw  plainly  that  little  Snow- White  was  again 
alive.  "  But  now,"  she  said,  "  I  will  think  of  something  that 
shall  put  an  end  to  you,"  and  by  the  help  of  witchcraft,  which 
she  understood,  she  made  a  poisonous  comb. 

Then  she  disguised  herself,  and  took  the  shape  of  another 
old  woman.  So  she  went  over  the  Seven  Mountains  to  the 
Seven  Dwarfs,  knocked  at  the  door,  and  cried,  "  Good  things 
to  sell,  cheap,  cheap !  " 

Little  Snow- White  looked  out,  and  said,  "  Go  away.  I  can- 
not let  any  one  come  in." 

"  I  suppose  you  may  look,"  said  the  old  woman,  and  pulled 
the  poisonous  comb  out  and  held  it  up. 

It  pleased  the  maiden  so  well  that  she  let  herself  be  beguiled, 

[  165  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

and  opened  the  door.  When  they  had  made  a  bargain,  the  old 
woman  said,  "  Now  I  will  comb  you  properly  for  once." 

Poor  little  Snow-White  had  no  suspicion,  and  let  the  Old 
Woman  do  as  she  pleased.  But  hardly  had  she  put  the  comb 
in  her  hair,  then  the  poison  in  it  took  effect,  and  the  maiden  fell 
down  senseless. 

"  You  paragon  of  beauty,"  said  the  wicked  woman,  "  you 
are  done  for  now!  "  and  she  went  away. 

But  fortunately  it  was  almost  evening,  and  the  Seven 
Dwarfs  came  home.  When  they  saw  little  Snow-White  lying 
as  if  dead  upon  the  ground,  they  at  once  suspected  the  Queen. 
They  looked  and  found  the  poisoned  comb.  Scarcely  had  they 
taken  it  out,  when  little  Snow-White  came  to  herself,  and  told 
them  what  had  happened.  Then  they  warned  her  once  more 
to  be  upon  her  guard,  and  to  open  the  door  to  no  one. 

The  Queen,  at  home,  went  in  front  of  the  Glass  and  said: 

"  Looking -Glass,  Looking -Glass,  on  the  wall, 
Who  in  this  land  is  the  fairest  of  allf  " 

then  it  answered  as  before: 

"Oh,  Queen,  thou  art  fairest  of  all  I  see, 
But  over  the  hills,  where  the  Seven  Dwarfs  dwell, 
Little  Snow-White  is  alive  and  well, 
And  none  is  so  fair  as  she." 

When  she  heard  the  Glass  speak  thus,  she  trembled  and 
shook  with  rage.  "  Little  Snow-White  shall  die,"  she  cried, 
"  even  if  it  costs  me  my  life!  " 

Thereupon  she  went  into  a  secret,  lonely  room,  where  no 
one  ever  came,  and  there  she  made  a  very  poisonous  apple. 

Outside  it  looked  pretty,  white  with  a  red  cheek,  so  that  every 

[  166  ] 


LITTLE  SNOW-WHITE 

one  who  saw  it  longed  for  it.  But  whoever  ate  a  piece  of  it 
must  surely  die. 

When  the  apple  was  ready,  she  painted  her  face,  and  dressed 
herself  as  a  countrywoman,  and  so  she  went  over  the  Seven 
Mountains  to  the  Seven  Dwarfs.  She  knocked  at  the  door. 
Little  Snow-White  put  her  head  out  of  the  window  and  said, 
"  I  cannot  let  any  one  in.  The  Seven  Dwarfs  have  forbidden 
me." 

"  It  is  all  the  same  to  me,"  answered  the  woman,  "  I  shall 
soon  get  rid  of  my  apples.    There,  I  will  give  you  one." 

"  No,"  said  little  Snow-White,  "  I  dare  not  take  anything." 

"  Are  you  afraid  of  poison?  "  said  the  old  woman.  "  Look, 
I  will  cut  the  apple  in  two  pieces.  You  eat  the  red  cheek,  and 
I  will  eat  the  white." 

The  apple  was  so  cunningly  made  that  only  the  red  cheek 
was  poisoned.  Little  Snow-White  longed  for  the  fine  apple, 
and  when  she  saw  that  the  woman  ate  part  of  it,  she  could  re- 
sist no  longer,  and  stretched  out  her  hand  and  took  the  poison- 
ous half.  But  hardly  had  she  a  bit  of  it  in  her  mouth,  than 
she  fell  down  dead. 

Then  the  Queen  looked  at  her  with  a  dreadful  look,  and 
laughed  aloud,  and  said,  "  White  as  snow,  red  as  blood,  black 
as  ebony-wood!  This  time  the  Dwarfs  cannot  wake  you  up 
again! " 

And  when  she  asked  of  the  Looking-Glass  at  home: 

"Looking-Glass,  Looking-Glass,  on  the  wall, 
Who  in  this  land  is  the  fairest  of  all?  " 

it  answered  at  last : 

"Oh,  Queen,  in  this  land  thou  art  fairest  of  all." 

[167] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Then  her  envious  heart  had  rest,  so  far  as  an  envious  heart  can 
have  rest. 

The  Dwarfs,  when  they  came  home  in  the  evening,  found 
little  Snow- White  lying  upon  the  ground.  She  breathed  no 
longer  and  was  dead.  They  lifted  her  up,  looked  to  see 
whether  they  could  find  anything  poisonous,  unlaced  her, 
combed  her  hair,  washed  her  with  water  and  wine,  but  it  was 
all  of  no  use.  The  poor  child  was  dead,  and  remained  dead. 
They  laid  her  upon  a  bier,  and  all  seven  of  them  sat  round  it 
and  wept  for  her,  and  wept  three  days  long. 

Then  they  were  going  to  bury  her,  but  she  still  looked  as  if 
she  was  living,  and  still  had  her  pretty  red  cheeks.  They  said, 
"  We  could  not  bury  her  in  the  dark  ground,"  and  they  had  a 
transparent  coffin  of  glass  made,  so  that  she  might  be  seen  from 
all  sides.  They  laid  her  in  it,  and  wrote  her  name  upon  it  in 
golden  letters,  and  that  she  was  a  King's  Daughter. 

Then  they  put  the  coffin  out  upon  the  mountain,  and  one  of 
them  always  stayed  by  it  to  watch  it.  And  birds  came  too, 
and  wept  for  little  Snow- White ;  first  an  owl,  then  a  raven,  and 
last  a  dove. 

And  now  little  Snow- White  lay  a  long,  long  time  in  the 
coffin.  She  did  not  change,  but  looked  as  if  she  were  asleep; 
for  she  was  as  white  as  snow,  as  red  as  blood,  and  her  hair  was 
as  black  as  ebony. 

It  happened,  however,  that  a  King's  Son  came  into  the 

forest,  and  went  to  the  Dwarfs'  house  to  spend  the  night.     He 

saw  the  coffin  on  the  mountain,  and  the  beautiful  little  Snow- 

White  within  it,  and  read  what  was  written  upon  it  in  golden 

letters. 

[168] 


\ 


LITTLE  SNOW-WHITE 

Then  he  said  to  the  Dwarfs,  "  Let  me  have  the  coffin.  I  will 
give  you  whatever  you  want  for  it." 

But  the  Dwarfs  answered,  "  We  will  not  part  with  it  for  all 
the  gold  in  the  world." 

Then  he  said,  "  Let  me  have  it  as  a  gift,  for  I  cannot  live 
without  seeing  little  Snow- White.  I  will  honor  and  prize  her 
as  my  dearest  possession."  As  he  spoke  in  this  way  the  good 
Dwarfs  took  pity  upon  him,  and  gave  him  the  coffin. 

And  now  the  King's  Son  had  it  carried  away  by  his  servants 
on  their  shoulders.  And  it  happened,  that  they  stumbled  over 
a  tree-stump,  and  with  the  shock  the  poisonous  piece  of  apple, 
which  little  Snow- White  had  bitten  off,  came  out  of  her  throat. 
And  before  long  she  opened  her  eyes,  lifted  up  the  lid  of  the 
coffin,  sat  up,  and  was  once  more  alive. 

"  Oh,  where  am  I?  "  she  cried. 

The  King's  Son,  full  of  joy,  said,  "  You  are  with  me,"  and 
told  her  what  had  happened,  and  said,  "  I  love  you  more  than 
everything  in  the  world.  Come  with  me  to  my  father's  palace, 
you  shall  be  my  wife." 

And  little  Snow- White  was  willing,  and  went  with  him,  and 

their  wedding  was  held  with  great  show  and  splendor.    But  the 

wicked  Queen  was  also  bidden  to  the  feast.     When  she  had 

arrayed  herself  in  beautiful  clothes,  she  went  before  the  Look- 

ing-Glass,  and  said : 

"Looking -Glass,  Looking -Glass,  on  the  wall, 
Who  in  this  land  is  the  fairest  of  all?" 

the  Glass  answered : 

"Oh,  Queen,  of  all  here  the  fairest  art  thou, 
But  the  young  Queen  is  fairer  by  far,  I  trow!  " 
[  169  J 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Then  the  wicked  woman  uttered  a  curse,  and  was  so 
wretched,  so  utterly  wretched,  that  she  knew  not  what  to  do. 
At  first  she  would  not  go  to  the  wedding  at  all,  but  she  had  no 
peace,  and  must  go  to  see  the  young  Queen. 

And  when  she  went  in  she  knew  little  Snow- White.  And 
she  stood  still  with  rage  and  fear,  and  could  not  stir.  But  iron 
slippers  had  already  been  put  upon  the  fire,  and  they  were 
brought  in  with  tongs,  and  set  before  her.  Then  she  was  forced 
to  put  on  the  red-hot  shoes,  and  dance  until  she  dropped  down 
dead. 


[170] 


RUMPELSTILTSKIN 


ONCE  there  was  a  miller  who  was  poor,  but  who  had  a 
beautiful  daughter.  Now  it  happened  that  he  had  to 
speak  to  the  King-,  and  in  order  to  make  himself  ap- 
pear important  he  said  to  him,  "  I  have  a  daughter  who  can 
spin  straw  into  gold." 

The  King  said  to  the  miller,  "  That  is  an  art  which  pleases 
me  well.  If  your  daughter  is  as  clever  as  you  say,  bring  her 
to-morrow  to  my  palace,  and  I  will  try  what  she  can  do." 

And  when  the  girl  was  brought  to  him,  he  took  her  into  a 
room  which  was  quite  full  of  straw,  gave  her  a  spinning-wheel 
and  a  reel,  and  said,  "  Now  set  to  work.  If  by  to-morrow 
morning  early,  you  have  not  spun  this  straw  into  gold,  you 
must  die." 

Thereupon  he  himself  locked  up  the  room,  and  left  her  in  it 

alone.    So  there  sat  the  poor  miller's  daughter,  and  for  her  life 

could  not  tell  what  to  do.     She  had  no  idea  how  straw  could 

be  spun  into  gold;  and  she  grew  more  and  more  miserable, 

until  at  last  she  began  to  weep. 

But  all  at  once  the  door  opened,  and  in  came  a  Little  Man, 

[171] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

and  said,  "  Good  evening,  Mistress  Miller.  Why  are  you  cry- 
ing  so  i 

"  Alas!  "  answered  the  girl,  "  I  have  to  spin  straw  into  gold, 
and  I  do  not  know  how  to  do  it." 

"  What  will  you  give  me,"  said  the  Little  Man,  "  if  I  do  it 
for  you? " 

"  My  necklace,"  said  the  girl. 

The  Little  Man  took  the  necklace,  seated  himself  in  front  of 
the  wheel,  and  whirr,  whirr,  whirr,  three  turns,  and  the  reel  was 
full.  Then  he  put  another  on,  and  whirr,  whirr,  whirr,  three 
times  round,  and  the  second  was  full  too.  And  so  it  went  on 
till  the  morning,  when  all  the  straw  was  spun,  and  all  the  reels 
were  full  of  gold. 

By  daybreak,  the  King  was  there,  and  when  he  saw  the  gold, 
he  was  astonished  and  delighted,  but  his  heart  became  only 
more  greedy.  He  had  the  miller's  daughter  taken  into  another 
room  full  of  straw,  which  was  much  larger,  and  commanded 
her  to  spin  that  also  in  one  night  if  she  valued  her  life. 

The  girl  knew  not  how  to  help  herself,  and  was  crying,  when 
the  door  again  opened,  and  the  Little  Man  appeared,  and  said, 
"  What  will  you  give  me  if  I  spin  the  straw  into  gold  for  you?  " 

"  The  ring  on  my  finger,"  answered  the  girl. 

The  Little  Man  took  the  ring,  again  began  to  turn  the 
wheel,  and,  by  morning,  had  spun  all  the  straw  into  glittering 
gold. 

The  King  rejoiced  beyond  measure  at  the  sight,  but  still  he 

had  not  gold  enough.    He  had  the  miller's  daughter  taken  into 

a  still  larger  room  full  of  straw,  and  said,  "  You  must  spin  this, 

too,  in  the  course  of  this  night.    But  if  you  succeed,  you  shall 

[  172  ] 


RUMPELSTILTSKIN 

be  my  wife."  "  Even  if  she  be  a  miller's  daughter,"  thought 
he,  "  I  could  not  find  a  richer  wife  in  the  whole  world." 

When  the  girl  was  alone  the  Little  Man  came  again  for  the 
third  time,  and  said,  "  What  will  you  give  me  if  I  spin  the 
straw  for  you  this  time  also?  " 

"  I  have  nothing  left  that  I  could  give,"  answered  the  girl. 

"  Then  promise  me,  if  you  should  become  Queen,  your  first 
child." 

"  Who  knows  whether  that  will  ever  happen? "  thought  the 
miller's  daughter.  And,  not  knowing  how  else  to  help  herself 
in  this  difficulty,  she  promised  the  Little  Man  what  he  wanted. 
And  for  that  he  once  more  span  the  straw  into  gold. 

And  when  the  King  came  in  the  morning,  and  found  all  as 
he  had  wished,  he  took  her  in  marriage.  And  the  pretty  mill- 
er's daughter  became  a  Queen. 

A  year  after,  she  had  a  beautiful  child,  and  she  never  gave  a 
thought  to  the  Little  Man.  But  suddenly  he  came  into  her 
room,  and  said,  "  Now  give  me  what  you  promised." 

The  Queen  was  horror-struck,  and  offered  the  Little  Man  all 
the  riches  of  the  kingdom  if  he  would  leave  her  the  child. 

But  the  Little  Man  said,  "  No,  something  that  is  alive,  is 
clearer  to  me  than  all  the  treasures  in  the  world." 

Then  the  Queen  began  to  weep  and  cry,  so  that  the  Little 
Man  pitied  her.  "  I  will  give  you  three  days'  time,"  said  he; 
"  if  by  that  time  you  find  out  my  name,  then  you  shall  keep 
your  child." 

So  the  Queen  thought  the  whole  night  of  all  the  names  that 

she  had  ever  heard,  and  she  sent  a  messenger  over  the  country 

to  inquire,  far  and  wide,  for  any  other  names  there  might  be. 

[  173  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

When  the  Little  Man  came  the  next  day,  she  began  with 
Caspar,  Melchior,  Balthazar,  and  said  all  the  names  she  knew, 
one  after  another.  But  to  every  one  the  Little  Man  said, 
"  That  is  not  my  name." 

On  the  second  day,  she  had  inquiries  made  in  the  neighbor- 
hood as  to  the  names  of  the  people  there.  And  she  repeated 
to  the  Little  Man  the  most  uncommon  and  curious,  "  Perhaps 
your  name  is  Shortribs,  or  Sheepshanks,  or  Laceleg?  "  but  he 
always  answered,  "  That  is  not  my  name." 

On  the  third  day,  the  messenger  came  back  again,  and  said, 
"  I  have  not  been  able  to  find  a  single  new  name.  But  as  I 
came  to  a  high  mountain  at  the  end  of  the  forest,  where  the 
fox  and  the  hare  bid  each  other  good  night,  there  I  saw  a  little 
house.  Before  the  house  a  fire  was  burning,  and  round  about 
the  fire  a  funny  Little  Man  was  jumping.  He  hopped  upon 
one  leg,  and  shouted: 

"To-day  I  brew,  to-morrow  I  bake, 
And  next,  I  shall  the  Queen's  child  take! 
Ah!  well  it  is,  none  knows  the  same — 
That  Rumpelstiltskin  is  my  name!" 

You  may  think  how  glad  the  Queen  was  when  she  heard  the 
name!  And  when  soon  afterward  the  Little  Man  came  in, 
and  asked,  "  Now,  Mistress  Queen,  what  is  my  name? "  she 
said: 

"  Is  your  name  Conrad? 

"  No." 

"  Is  your  name  Harry? 

"  No." 

"  Perhaps  your  name  is  Rumpelstiltskin?  " 

[174] 


»y 


a 


"perhaps,"  said  she,  "your  name  is  rumpelstiltskin?" 


RUMPELSTILTSKIN 

"  The  devil  has  told  you  that!  the  devil  has  told  you  that! " 
cried  the  Little  Man,  and  in  his  anger  he  stamped  his  right 
foot  so  deep  into  the  earth  that  his  whole  leg  went  in.  And 
then  in  rage,  he  pulled  at  his  left  leg  so  hard  with  both  hands, 
that  he  tore  himself  in  two. 


[175] 


lift 

H33I 

3sML 

V#\     *■     s  •  w ! 

Wi    « 

LITTLE  BRIAR-ROSE 


ALONG  time  ago,  there  were  a  King  and  Queen  who 
said  every  day,  "  Ah,  if  only  we  had  a  child!  "  but  they 
never  had  one. 

But  it  happened  that  once  when  the  Queen  was  bathing,  a 
Frog  crept  out  of  the  water  on  to  the  land,  and  said  to  her, 
"  Your  wish  shall  be  fulfilled.  Before  a  year  has  gone  by,  you 
shall  have  a  daughter." 

What  the  Frog  had  said  came  true,  and  the  Queen  had  a 
little  girl,  who  was  so  pretty  that  the  King  could  not  contain 
himself  for  joy,  and  ordered  a  great  feast.  He  invited  not 
only  his  kindred,  friends  and  acquaintance,  but  also  the  Wise 
Women,  in  order  that  they  might  be  kind  and  well-disposed 
toward  the  child.  There  were  thirteen  of  them  in  his  kingdom. 
But,  as  he  had  only  twelve  golden  plates  for  them  to  eat  out 
of,  one  of  them  had  to  be  left  at  home. 

The  feast  was  held  with  all  manner  of  splendor.    When  it 

came  to  an  end  the  Wise  Women  bestowed  their  magic  gifts 

upon  the  baby.     One  gave  Virtue,  another  Beauty,  a  third 

[176] 


LITTLE  BRIAR-ROSE 

Riches,  and  so  on  with  everything  in  the  world  that  one  can 
wish  for. 

When  eleven  of  them  had  made  their  promises,  suddenly 
the  thirteenth  came  in.  She  wished  to  avenge  herself  for  not 
having  been  invited,  and  without  greeting,  or  even  looking  at 
any  one,  she  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  "  The  King's  Daughter, 
in  her  fifteenth  year,  shall  prick  herself  with  a  sj)indle,  and  fall 
down  dead."  And,  without  saying  a  word  more,  she  turned 
round  and  left  the  room. 

They  were  all  shocked.  But  the  twelfth,  whose  good  wish 
still  remained  unspoken,  came  forward,  and  as  she  could  not 
undo  the  evil  sentence,  but  only  soften  it,  she  said,  "  It  shall 
not  be  death,  but  a  deep  sleep  of  a  hundred  years,  into  which 
the  Princess  shall  fall." 

The  King,  who  wished  to  keep  his  dear  child  from  the  mis- 
fortune, gave  orders  that  every  spindle  in  the  whole  kingdom 
should  be  burnt.  Meanwhile,  the  gifts  of  the  Wise  Women 
were  fulfilled  on  the  young  girl,  for  she  was  so  beautiful, 
modest,  sweet  tempered,  and  wise,  that  every  one  who  saw  her, 
was  bound  to  love  her. 

It  happened  that  on  the  very  day,  when  she  was  fifteen  years 
old,  the  King  and  Queen  were  not  at  home,  and  the  maiden  was 
left  in  the  palace  quite  alone.  So  she  went  round  into  all  sorts 
of  places,  looked  into  rooms  and  bedchambers  just  as  she  liked, 
and  at  last  came  to  an  old  tower.  She  climbed  up  the  narrow 
winding-staircase,  and  reached  a  little  door.  A  rusty  key  was 
in  the  lock,  and  when  she  turned  it  the  door  sprang  open. 
There  in  a  little  room  sat  an  Old  Woman  with  a  spindle,  busily 
spinning  flax. 

[  177  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"  Good  day,  old  Dame,"  said  the  King's  Daughter;  "  what 
are  you  doing  there?  " 

"  I  am  spinning,"  said  the  Old  Woman,  and  nodded  her 
head. 

"  What  sort  of  thing  is  that,  which  rattles  round  so 
merrily?  "  said  the  maiden,  and  she  took  the  spindle  and  wanted 
to  spin  too.  But  scarcely  had  she  touched  the  spindle  when 
the  magic  decree  was  fulfilled,  and  she  pricked  her  finger  with 
it. 

And,  in  the  very  moment  when  she  felt  the  prick,  she  fell 
down  upon  the  bed  that  stood  there,  and  lay  in  a  deep  sleep. 
And  this  sleep  extended  over  the  whole  palace. 

The  King  and  Queen,  who  had  just  come  home,  and  had 
entered  the  great  hall,  began  to  go  to  sleep,  and  the  whole  of 
the  Court  with  them.  The  horses,  too,  went  to  sleep  in  the 
stable,  the  dogs  in  the  yard,  the  pigeons  upon  the  roof,  the  flies 
on  the  wall.  Even  the  fire,  that  was  flaming  on  the  hearth,  be- 
came quiet  and  slept.  The  roast  meat  left  off  frizzling,  and  the 
cook,  who  was  just  going  to  pull  the  hair  of  the  scullery  boy, 
because  he  had  forgotten  something,  let  him  go,  and  went  to 
sleep.  And  the  wind  fell;  and  on  the  trees  before  the  castle 
not  a  leaf  moved  again. 

But  round  about  the  castle,  there  began  to  grow  a  hedge  of 
thorns.  Every  year  it  became  higher,  and  at  last  grew  close 
up  round  the  castle  and  all  over  it,  so  that  there  was  nothing 
of  it  to  be  seen,  not  even  the  flag  upon  the  roof. 

But  the  story  of  the  beautiful  sleeping  "  Briar-Rose,"  for 

so  the  Princess  was  named,  went  about  the  country,  so  that 

from  time  to  time  Kings'  Sons  came  and  tried  to  get  through 

[178] 


LITTLE  BRIAR-ROSE 

the  thorny  hedge  into  the  castle.  But  they  found  it  impossible, 
for  the  thorns  held  fast  together,  as  if  they  had  hands,  and  the 
youths  were  caught  in  them,  could  not  get  loose  again,  and 
died  a  miserable  death. 

After  long,  long  years,  again  a  King's  Son  came  to  that 
country.  He  heard  an  old  man  talking  about  the  thorn-hedge, 
and  that  a  castle  was  said  to  stand  behind  it  in  which  a  wonder- 
fully beautiful  Princess,  named  Briar-Rose,  had  been  asleep 
for  a  hundred  years;  and  that  the  King  and  Queen  and  the 
whole  Court  were  asleep  likewise.  He  had  heard,  too,  from 
his  grandfather,  that  many  Kings'  Sons  had  come,  and  had 
tried  to  get  through  the  thorny  hedge,  but  they  had  remained 
sticking  fast  in  it,  so  had  died  a  pitiful  death. 

Then  the  youth  said,  "  I  am  not  afraid.  I  will  go  and  see 
the  beautiful  Briar-Rose."  The  good  old  man  might  dissuade 
him  as  he  would,  he  did  not  listen  to  his  words. 

But  by  this  time  the  hundred  years  had  just  passed.  The 
day  was  come  when  Briar-Rose  was  to  awake  again.  When  the 
King's  Son  came  near  to  the  thorn-hedge,  it  was  nothing  but 
large  and  beautiful  flowers,  which  parted  from  each  other  of 
their  own  accord,  and  let  him  pass  unhurt.  Then  they  closed 
again  behind  him  like  a  hedge. 

In  the  castle-yard  he  saw  the  horses  and  the  spotted  hounds 

lying  asleep.     On  the  roof,  sat  the  pigeons  with  their  heads 

under  their  wings.    And  when  he  entered  the  house,  the  flies 

were  asleep  upon  the  wall,  the  cook  in  the  kitchen  was  still 

holding  out  his  hand  to  seize  the  boy,  and  the  maid  was  sitting 

by  the  black  hen  which  she  was  going  to  pluck. 

He  went  on  farther,  and  in  the  great  hall  he  saw  the  whole 

[179] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

of  the  Court  lying  asleep,  and  by  the  throne  lay  the  King  and 
Queen. 

Then  he  went  on  still  farther,  and  all  was  so  quiet  that  a 
breath  could  be  heard.  At  last  he  came  to  the  tower,  and 
opened  the  door  into  the  little  room  where  Briar-Rose  was 
sleeping.  There  she  lay,  so  beautiful  that  he  could  not  turn 
his  eyes  away.  He  stooped  down  and  gave  her  a  kiss.  But  as 
soon  as  he  kissed  her,  Briar-Rose  opened  her  eyes  and  awoke, 
and  looked  at  him  quite  sweetly. 

Then  they  went  down  together,  and  the  King  awoke,  and  the 
Queen,  and  the  whole  Court,  and  gazed  at  each  other  in  great 
astonishment.  And  the  horses  in  the  courtyard  stood  up  and 
shook  themselves.  The  hounds  jumped  up  and  wagged  their 
tails.  The  pigeons  upon  the  roof  pulled  out  their  heads  from 
under  their  wings,  looked  round,  and  flew  into  the  open  coun- 
try. The  flies  on  the  wall  crept  again.  The  fire  in  the  kitchen 
burned  up  and  flickered  and  cooked  the  meat.  The  joint  began 
to  turn  and  frizzle,  and  the  cook  gave  the  boy  such  a  box  on  the 
ear  that  he  screamed,  and  the  maid  plucked  the  fowl  ready  for 
the  spit. 

And  then  the  marriage  of  the  King's  Son  and  Briar-Rose 
was  celebrated  with  all  splendor,  and  they  lived  contented  to 
the  end  of  their  days. 


[180] 


THE  THREE  LITTLE  MEN  IN  THE  WOOD 


THERE  was  once  a  man  whose  wife  died,  and  a  woman 
whose  husband  died ;  and  the  man  had  a  daughter,  and 
the  woman  also  had  a  daughter. 

The  girls  were  acquainted  with  each  other.  They  went  walk- 
ing together,  and  came  to  the  woman's  house.  Then  she  said 
to  the  man's  daughter: 

"  Listen !  Tell  your  father  that  I  would  like  to  marry  him. 
Then  you  shall  wash  yourself  in  milk  every  morning  and  drink 
wine;  but  my  own  daughter  shall  wash  herself  in  water  and 
drink  water." 

The  girl  went  home,  and  told  her  father  what  the  woman  had 
said.  The  man  said,  "  What  shall  I  do?  Marriage  is  a  joy, 
also  a  torment!" 

At  last,  as  he  could  not  decide,  he  pulled  off  his  boot,  and 
said,  "  Take  this  boot.  It  has  a  hole  in  the  sole  of  it.  Go  with 
it  upstairs  to  the  loft.  Hang  it  on  the  big  nail.  Then  pour 
water  into  it.  If  it  holds  the  water,  then  I  will  again  take  a 
wife.    But  if  it  runs  through,  I  will  not !  " 

The  girl  did  as  she  was  ordered,  but  the  water  drew  the  hole 

[  181  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

together,  and  the  boot  became  full  to  the  top.  She  informed 
her  father  how  it  had  turned  out. 

Then  he  himself  went  up,  and  when  he  saw  that  she  was 
right,  he  went  to  the  widow  and  wooed  her,  and  the  wedding 
was  celebrated. 

The  next  morning,  when  the  two  girls  got  up,  there  stood 
before  the  man's  daughter,  milk  for  her  to  wash  in  and  wine 
for  her  to  drink.  But  before  the  woman's  daughter,  stood 
water  to  wash  herself  with  and  water  for  drinking. 

On  the  second  morning,  stood  water  for  washing  and  water 
for  drinking  before  the  man's  daughter  as  well  as  before  the 
woman's  daughter. 

And  on  the  third  morning,  stood  water  for  washing  and 
water  for  drinking  before  the  man's  daughter,  and  milk  for 
washing  and  wine  for  drinking,  before  the  woman's  daughter, 
and  so  it  continued. 

The  woman  became  bitterly  unkind  to  the  man's  daughter, 
and  day  by  day  did  her  best  to  treat  her  still  worse.  She  was 
envious  too  because  the  man's  daughter  was  beautiful  and  lov- 
able, and  her  own  daughter  ugly  and  repulsive. 

One  day,  in  winter,  when  everything  was  frozen  as  hard  as 
a  stone,  and  hill  and  vale  lav  covered  with  snow,  the  woman 
made  a  frock  of  paper,  called  the  man's  daughter  and  said, 
"  Here,  put  on  this  dress  and  go  out  into  the  wood,  and  fetch 
me  a  little  basketful  of  strawberries, — I  have  a  fancy  for 
some." 

"Alas!"  said  the  girl,  "no  strawberries  grow  in  winter! 
The  ground  is  frozen,  and  besides  the  snow  has  covered  every- 
thing.   And  why  am  I  to  go  in  this  paper  frock?    It  is  so  cold 

[182] 


THE  THREE  LITTLE  MEN  IN  THE  WOOD 

outside  that  one's  very  breath  freezes!  The  wind  will  blow 
through  the  frock,  and  the  thorns  will  tear  it  off  my  body." 

"  Will  you  contradict  me  again? "  said  the  woman.  "See 
that  you  go,  and  do  not  show  your  face  again  until  you  have 
the  basketful  of  strawberries !  " 

Then  she  gave  her  a  little  piece  of  hard  bread,  and  said, 
"  This  will  last  you  the  day,"  and  thought,  "  You  will  die  of 
cold  and  hunger  outside,  and  will  never  be  seen  again  by  me." 

Then  the  girl  obeyed,  and  put  on  the  paper  frock,  and  went 
out  with  the  basket.  Far  and  wide  there  was  nothing  but 
snow,  and  not  a  green  blade  to  be  seen. 

When  she  got  into  the  wood  she  saw  a  small  house  out  of 
which  peeped  three  little  Dwarfs.  She  wished  them  good  day, 
and  knocked  modestly  at  the  door.  They  cried,  "  Come  in," 
and  she  entered  the  room  and  seated  herself  on  the  bench  by 
the  stove,  where  she  began  to  warm  herself  and  eat  her  break- 
fast. 

The  Dwarfs  said,  "  Give  us  some  of  it." 

"  Willingly,"  said  she,  and  divided  her  bit  of  bread  in  two, 
and  gave  them  the  half. 

They  asked,  "  What  do  you  here  in  the  forest  in  the  winter 
time,  in  your  thin  dress?  " 

"  Ah,"  she  answered,  "  I  am  to  look  for  a  basketful  of  straw- 
berries, and  am  not  to  go  home  until  I  can  take  them  with  me." 

When  she  had  eaten  her  bread,  they  gave  her  a  broom  and 
said,  "  Sweep  away  the  snow  at  the  back  door  with  it." 

But  when  she  was  outside,  the  three  Little  Men  said  to  one 
another,  "  What  shall  we  give  her  as  she  is  so  good,  and  has 

shared  her  bread  with  us?  " 

[183] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Then  said  the  first,  "  My  gift  is,  that  every  day  she  shall 
grow  more  beautiful." 

The  second  said,  "  My  gift  is,  that  gold  pieces  shall  fall  out 
of  her  mouth  every  time  she  speaks." 

The  third  said,  "  My  gift  is,  that  a  King  shall  come  and  take 
her  to  wife." 

The  girl,  however,  did  as  the  Little  Men  had  bidden  her, 
swept  away  the  snow  behind  the  little  house  with  the  broom. 
And  what  did  she  find  but  real  ripe  strawberries,  which  came 
up  quite  dark-red  out  of  the  snow!  In  her  joy  she  hastily 
gathered  her  basket  full,  thanked  the  Little  Men,  shook  hands 
with  each  of  them,  and  ran  home  to  take  the  woman  what  she 
had  longed  for  so  much. 

When  she  went  in  and  said  good-evening,  a  piece  of  gold  at 
once  fell  out  of  her  mouth.  Thereupon  she  related  what  had 
happened  to  her  in  the  wood.  But  with  every  word  she  spoke, 
gold  pieces  fell  from  her  mouth,  until  very  soon  the  whole 
room  was  covered  with  them. 

"  Now  look  at  her  pride,"  cried  the  woman's  daughter,  "  to 
throw  about  gold  in  that  way!  "  but  she  was  secretly  envious  of 
it,  and  wanted  to  go  into  the  forest  to  seek  strawberries. 

Her  mother  said,  "  No,  my  dear  little  Daughter,  it  is  too 
cold,  you  might  die  of  cold." 

However,  as  her  daughter  let  her  have  no  peace,  the  mother 
at  last  yielded,  made  her  a  magnificent  dress  of  fur,  which  she 
was  obliged  to  put  on,  and  gave  her  bread-and-butter  and  cake 
to  take  with  her. 

The  girl  went  into  the  forest  and  straight  up  to  the  little 

house.     The  three  Little  Men  peeped  out  again,  but  she  did 

[  184  ] 


THE  THREE  LITTLE  MEN  IN  THE  WOOD 

not  greet  them.  Without  looking  round  at  them  and  without 
speaking  to  them,  she  went  awkwardly  into  the  room,  seated 
herself  by  the  stove,  and  began  to  eat  her  bread-and-butter  and 
cake. 

"  Give  us  some  of  it,"  cried  the  Little  Men. 

But  she  replied,  "  There  is  not  enough  for  myself,  so  how 
can  I  give  it  away  to  other  people?  " 

When  she  had  done  eating,  they  said,  "  There  is  a  broom 
for  you,  sweep  all  clean  for  us  outside  by  the  back-door." 

"Humph!  Sweep  for  yourselves,"  she  answered,  "I  am 
not  your  servant." 

When  she  saw  that  they  were  not  going  to  give  her  anything, 
she  went  out  the  door.  Then  the  Little  Men  said  to  each  other, 
"  What  shall  we  give  her  as  she  is  so  naughty,  and  has  a  wicked 
envious  heart,  that  will  never  let  her  do  a  good  turn  to  any 
one?" 

The  first  said,  "  I  grant  that  she  may  grow  uglier  every 
day." 

The  second  said,  "  I  grant  that  at  every  word  she  says,  a 
toad  shall  spring  out  of  her  mouth." 

The  third  said,  "  I  grant  that  she  may  die  a  miserable  death." 

The  maiden  looked  for  strawberries  outside,  but  as  she  found 
none,  she  went  angrily  home.  And  when  she  opened  her 
mouth,  and  was  about  to  tell  her  mother  what  had  happened 
to  her  in  the  wood,  with  each  word  she  said,  a  toad  sprang  out 
of  her  mouth,  so  that  everybody  was  seized  with  horror  of  her. 

Then  her  mother  was  still  more  enraged,  and  thought  of 
nothing  but  how  to  do  every  possible  injury  to  the  man's 

daughter,  whose  beautv,  however,  grew  daily  greater.     At 

[185] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

length  she  took  a  cauldron,  set  it  on  the  fire,  and  boiled  yarn 
in  it.  When  it  was  boiled,  she  flung  it  on  the  poor  girl's  shoul- 
der, and  gave  her  an  axe  in  order  that  she  might  go  on  the 
frozen  river,  cut  a  hole  in  the  ice,  and  rinse  the  yarn. 

She  was  obedient,  went  thither  and  cut  a  hole  in  the  ice. 
And  while  she  was  in  the  midst  of  her  cutting,  a  splendid  car- 
riage came  driving  up,  in  which  sat  the  King.  The  carriage 
stopped,  and  the  King  asked,  "  My  Child,  who  are  you,  and 
what  are  you  doing  here?  " 

"  I  am  a  poor  girl,  and  I  am  rinsing  yarn." 

Then  the  King  felt  compassion,  and  when  he  saw  that  she 
was  so  very  beautiful,  he  said  to  her,  "  Will  you  go  away  with 
me? " 

"  Ah,  yes,  with  all  my  heart,"  she  answered,  for  she  was  glad 
to  get  away  from  the  mother  and  sister. 

So  she  got  into  the  carriage  and  drove  away  with  the  King, 
and  when  they  arrived  at  his  palace,  the  wedding  was  cele- 
brated with  great  pomp,  as  the  Little  Men  had  granted  to  the 
maiden. 


[186] 


THE  GOLDEN  BIRD 

IN  the  olden  time,  there  was  a  King,  who  had  behind  his 
palace  a  beautiful  pleasure-garden,  in  which  there  was  a 
tree  that  bore  Golden  Apples.  When  the  apples  were 
getting  ripe  they  were  counted,  but  on  the  very  next  morning 
one  was  missing.  This  was  told  to  the  King,  and  he  ordered 
that  a  watch  should  be  kept  every  night  beneath  the  tree. 

The  King  had  three  sons,  the  eldest  of  whom  he  sent,  as 
soon  as  night  came,  into  the  garden.  But  when  it  was  mid- 
night, he  could  not  keep  himself  from  sleeping,  and  next  morn- 
ing again  an  apple  was  gone. 

The  following  night,  the  second  son  had  to  keep  watch,  it 
fared  no  better  with  him.  As  soon  as  twelve  o'clock  had  struck 
he  fell  asleep,  and  in  the  morning  an  apple  was  gone. 

Now,  it  came  to  the  turn  of  the  third  son  to  watch.  He  was 
quite  ready,  but  the  King  had  not  much  trust  in  him,  and 
thought  that  he  would  be  of  less  use  than  his  brothers.  But  at 
last  he  let  him  go. 

The  youth  lay  down  beneath  the  tree,  but  kept  awake,  and 

did  not  let  sleep  master  him.    When  it  struck  twelve,  some- 

[  187  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

thing  rustled  through  the  air,  and  in  the  moonlight  he  saw  a 
bird  coining  whose  feathers  were  shining  with  gold.  The  bird 
alighted  on  the  tree,  and  had  just  plucked  off  an  apple,  when 
the  youth  shot  an  arrow  at  him.  The  bird  flew  off,  but  the 
arrow  had  struck  his  plumage,  and  one  of  his  golden  feathers 
fell  down. 

The  youth  picked  it  up,  and  the  next  morning  took  it  to  the 
King  and  told  him  what  he  had  seen  in  the  night.  The  King 
called  his  council  together,  and  every  one  declared  that  a 
feather  like  this  was  worth  more  than  the  whole  kingdom. 

"  If  the  feather  is  so  precious,"  declared  the  King,  "  one 
alone  will  not  do  for  me.  I  must  and  will  have  the  whole 
bird!" 

The  eldest  son  set  out.  He  trusted  to  his  cleverness,  and 
thought  that  he  would  easily  find  the  Golden  Bird.  When  he 
had  gone  some  distance  he  saw  a  Fox  sitting  at  the  edge  of  a 
wood,  so  he  cocked  his  gun  and  took  aim  at  him. 

The  Fox  cried,  "Do  not  shoot  me!  And  in  return  I  will 
give  you  some  good  counsel.  You  are  on  the  way  to  the  Golden 
Bird.  This  evening  you  will  come  to  a  village  in  which  stand 
two  inns  opposite  to  one  another.  One  of  them  is  lighted  up 
brightly,  and  all  goes  on  merrily  within,  but  do  not  enter  it. 
Go  rather  into  the  other,  even  though  it  seems  a  bad  one." 

"  How  can  such  a  silly  beast  give  wise  advice?  "  thought  the 
King's  Son,  and  he  pulled  the  trigger.  But  he  missed  the  Fox, 
who  stretched  out  his  tail  and  ran  quickly  into  the  wood. 

So  he  pursued  his  way,  and  by  evening  came  to  the  village 
where  the  two  inns  were.  In  one  they  were  singing  and  danc- 
ing.   The  other  had  a  poor,  miserable  look. 

[  188  ] 


IN  THE  MOONLIGHT  HE  SAW  A  BIRD 


THE  GOLDEN  BIRD 

"  I  should  be  a  fool,  indeed,"  he  thought,  "  if  I  were  to  go 
into  the  shabby  tavern,  and  pass  by  the  good  one."  So  he  went 
into  the  cheerful  one,  lived  there  in  riot  and  revel,  and  forgot 
the  bird  and  his  father,  and  all  good  counsels. 

Some  time  had  passed,  and  when  the  eldest  son,  month  after 
month,  did  not  come  home,  the  second  set  out,  wishing  to  find 
the  Golden  Bird.  The  Fox  met  him  as  he  had  met  the  eldest, 
and  gave  him  the  good  advice,  of  which  he  took  no  heed.  He 
came  to  the  two  inns.  His  brother  was  standing  at  the  win- 
dow of  the  one  from  which  came  the  music,  and  called  to  him. 
He  could  not  resist,  but  went  inside,  and  lived  only  for  pleas- 
ure. 

Again  some  time  passed,  and  then  the  youngest  King's  Son 
wanted  to  set  off  and  try  his  luck.  But  his  father  would  not 
allow  it.  "  It  is  of  no  use,"  said  he,  "  he  will  be  less  likely  to 
find  the  Golden  Bird  than  his  brothers.  And  if  a  mishap  were 
to  befall  him,  he  knows  not  how  to  help  himself.  He  is  a  little 
wanting  at  the  best."  But  at  last,  as  he  had  no  peace,  he  let 
him  go. 

Again  the  Fox  was  sitting  outside  the  wood,  and  begged 
for  his  life,  and  offered  his  good  advice.  The  youth  was  good- 
natured,  and  said,  "  Be  easy,  little  Fox,  I  will  do  you  no  harm." 

"  You  shall  not  repent  it,"  answered  the  Fox;  "  and  that  you 
may  proceed  more  quickly,  get  up  behind  on  my  tail." 

And  scarcely  had  he  seated  himself,  when  the  Fox  began  to 

run,  and  away  he  went  over  stock  and  stone  till  his  hair  whistled 

in  the  wind.    When  they  came  to  the  village,  the  youth  got  off. 

He   followed  the   good   advice,   and   without   looking   round 

turned  into  the  little  inn,  where  he  spent  the  night  quietly. 

[  189  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

The  next  morning,  as  soon  as  he  got  into  the  open  country, 
there  sat  the  Fox  already,  and  said,  "  I  will  tell  you  further 
what  you  have  to  do.  Go  straight  forward.  At  last  you  will 
come  to  a  castle,  in  front  of  which  a  whole  regiment  of  soldiers 
is  lying,  but  do  not  trouble  yourself  about  them,  for  they  will  all 
be  asleep  and  snoring. 

"  Go  through  the  midst  of  them  straight  into  the  castle.  Go 
through  all  the  rooms,  till  at  last  you  will  come  to  a  chamber 
where  a  Golden  Bird  is  hanging  in  a  wooden  cage.  Close  by, 
there  stands  an  empty  gold  cage  for  show.  Beware  of  taking 
the  bird  out  of  the  common  cage  and  putting  it  into  the  fine 
one,  or  it  may  go  badly  with  you." 

With  these  words  the  Fox  again  stretched  out  his  tail,  and 
the  King's  Son  seated  himself  upon  it.  Awajr  he  went  over 
stock  and  stone,  till  his  hair  whistled  in  the  wind. 

When  he  came  to  the  castle  he  found  everything  as  the  Fox 
had  said.  The  King's  Son  went  into  the  chamber  where  the 
Golden  Bird  was  shut  up  in  a  wooden  cage,  whilst  a  golden  one 
stood  hard  by;  and  the  three  Golden  Apples  lay  about  the 
room. 

"  But,"  thought  he,  "  it  would  be  absurd  if  I  were  to  leave 
the  beautiful  bird  in  the  common  and  ugly  cage,"  so  he  opened 
the  door,  laid  hold  of  it,  and  put  it  into  the  golden  cage.  But 
at  the  same  moment  the  bird  uttered  a  shrill  cry. 

The  soldiers  awoke,  rushed  in,  and  took  him  off  to  prison. 
The  next  morning  he  was  taken  before  a  court  of  justice,  and 
as  he  confessed  everything,  was  sentenced  to  death. 

The  King,  however,  said  that  he  would  grant  him  his  life  on 

one  condition — namely,  if  he  brought  him  the  Golden  Horse 

[190] 


THE  GOLDEN  BIRD 

which  ran  faster  than  the  wind.  And  in  that  case  he  should 
receive,  over  and  above,  as  a  reward,  the  Golden  Bird. 

The  King's  Son  set  off,  but  he  sighed  and  was  sorrowful,  for 
hoAv  was  he  to  find  the  Golden  Horse?  But  all  at  once  he  saw 
his  old  friend  the  Fox  sitting  on  the  road. 

"  Look  you,"  said  the  Fox,  "  this  has  happened  because  you 
did  not  give  heed  to  me.  However,  be  of  good  courage.  I 
will  help  you,  and  tell  you  how  to  get  to  the  Golden  Horse. 
You  must  go  straight  on,  and  you  will  come  to  a  castle,  where 
in  the  stable  stands  the  horse.  The  grooms  will  be  lying  in 
front  of  the  stable. 

"  They  will  be  asleep  and  snoring,  and  you  can  quietly  lead 
out  the  Golden  Horse.  But  of  one  thing  you  must  take  heed. 
Put  on  him  the  common  saddle  of  wood  and  leather,  and  not 
the  golden  one,  which  hangs  close  by,  else  it  will  go  ill  with 

you." 

Then  the  Fox  stretched  out  his  tail,  the  King's  Son  seated 
himself  upon  it.  Away  he  went  over  stock  and  stone,  until  his 
hair  whistled  in  the  wind. 

Everything  happened  just  as  the  Fox  had  said.  The  King's 
Son  came  to  the  stable  in  which  the  Golden  Horse  was  stand- 
ing, but  just  as  he  was  going  to  put  the  common  saddle  upon 
him,  he  thought,  "  It  will  be  a  shame  to  such  a  beautiful  beast, 
if  I  do  not  give  him  the  good  saddle  which  belongs  to  him  by 
right." 

But  scarcely  had  the  golden  saddle  touched  the  horse  than  he 
began  to  neigh  loudly.  The  grooms  awoke,  seized  the  youth, 
and  threw  him  into  prison.  The  next  morning  he  was  sen- 
tenced by  the  court  to  death;  but  the  King  promised  to  grant 

[191] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

him  his  life,  and  the  Golden  Horse  as  well,  if  he  would  rescue 
the  beautiful  Princess  from  the  Golden  Castle. 

With  a  heavy  heart  the  youth  set  out.  Yet  luckily  for  him 
he  soon  found  the  trusty  Fox. 

"  I  ought  to  leave  you  to  your  ill-luck,"  said  the  Fox,  "  but 
I  pity  you,  and  will  help  you  once  more  out  of  your  trouble. 
This  road  takes  you  straight  to  the  Golden  Castle.  You  will 
reach  it  by  eventide.  And  at  night,  when  everything  is  quiet, 
the  beautiful  Princess  goes  to  the  bathing-house  to  bathe. 
When  she  enters  it,  run  up  to  her  and  give  her  a  kiss.  Then 
she  will  follow  you,  and  you  can  take  her  away  with  you.  Only 
do  not  allow  her  to  say  farewell  to  her  parents  first,  or  it  will  go 
ill  with  you." 

Then  the  Fox  stretched  out  his  tail,  the  King's  Son  seated 
himself  upon  it.  Away  the  Fox  went,  over  stock  and  stone, 
till  his  hair  whistled  in  the  wind. 

When  he  reached  the  Golden  Castle  it  was  just  as  the  Fox 
had  said.  He  waited  until  midnight,  when  everything  lay  in 
deep  sleep,  and  the  beautiful  Princess  was  going  to  the  bath- 
ing-house. Then  he  sprang  out  and*gave  her  a  kiss.  She  said 
that  she  would  like  to  go  with  him,  but  she  asked  him  pitifully, 
and  with  tears,  to  be  allowed  to  take  leave  of  her  parents. 

At  first  he  withstood  her  prayer,  but  when  she  wept  more 
and  more,  and  fell  at  his  feet,  he  at  last  gave  in.  But  no  sooner 
had  the  maiden  reached  the  bedside  of  her  father,  than  he  and 
all  the  rest  in  the  castle  awoke,  and  the  youth  was  laid  hold  of 
and  put  into  prison. 

The  next  morning,  the  King  said  to  him,  "  Your  life  is  for- 
feited, and  you  can  onlv  find  mercv  if  you  take  away  the  hill 

[192] 


THE  GOLDEN  BIRD 

which  stands  in  front  of  my  windows,  and  prevents  my  seeing 
beyond  it.  And  you  must  finish  it  all  within  eight  days.  If 
you  do  that  you  shall  have  my  daughter  as  your  reward." 

The  King's  Son  began,  and  dug  and  shovelled  without  leav- 
ing off.  But  after  seven  days  when  he  saw  how  little  he  had 
done,  and  how  all  his  work  was  as  good  as  nothing,  he  fell  into 
great  sorrow  and  gave  up  all  hope. 

On  the  evening  of  the  seventh  day  the  Fox  appeared  and 
said,  "  You  do  not  deserve  that  I  should  take  any  trouble  about 
you.  Nevertheless,  go  away  and  lie  down  to  sleep.  I  will  do 
the  work  for  you." 

The  next  morning,  when  he  awoke  and  looked  out  of  the 
window,  the  hill  had  gone.  Full  of  joy,  the  youth  ran  to  the 
King,  and  told  him  that  the  task  was  fulfilled.  And  whether 
he  liked  it  or  not,  the  King  had  to  hold  to  his  word  and  give  him 
his  daughter. 

So  the  two  set  forth  together,  and  it  was  not  long  before  the 
trusty  Fox  came  up  with  them.  "  You  have  certainly  got 
what  is  best,"  said  he,  "  but  the  Golden  Horse  also  belongs  to 
the  maiden  of  the  Golden  Castle." 

"  How  shall  I  get  it?  "  asked  the  youth. 

"  That  I  will  tell  you,"  answered  the  Fox;  "  first  take  the 
beautiful  maiden  to  the  King  who  sent  you  to  the  Golden 
Castle.  There  will  be  unheard-of  rejoicing.  They  will  gladly 
give  you  the  Golden  Horse,  and  will  bring  it  out  to  you." 

All  was  brought  to  pass  successfully,  and  the  King's  Son 
carried  off  the  beautiful  Princess  on  the  Golden  Horse. 

The  Fox  did  not  remain  behind,  and  he  said  to  the  youth, 

"  Now  I  will  help  you  to  get  the  Golden  Bird.     When  you 

[193] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

come  near  to  the  castle  where  the  Golden  Bird  is  to  be  found, 
let  the  maiden  get  down,  and  I  will  take  her  into  my  care. 
Then  ride  with  the  Golden  Horse  into  the  castle-yard.  There 
will  be  great  rejoicing  at  the  sight,  and  they  will  bring  out  the 
Golden  Bird  for  you." 

When  all  was  accomplished  and  the  King's  Son  was  about 
to  ride  home  with  his  treasures,  the  Fox  said,  "  Now  you  shall 
reward  me  for  my  help." 

"  What  do  you  require  for  it?  "  asked  the  youth. 

"  When  you  get  into  the  wood  yonder,  shoot  me  dead,  and 
chop  off  my  head  and  feet." 

"  That  would  be  fine  gratitude,"  said  the  King's  Son.  '  I 
cannot  possibly  do  that  for  you." 

The  Fox  said,  "  If  you  will  not  do  it  I  must  leave  you.  But 
before  I  go  away  I  will  give  you  a  piece  of  good  advice.  Be 
careful  about  two  things.  Buy  no  gallows' -flesh,  and  do  not 
sit  at  the  edge  of  any  well."     And  then  he  ran  into  the  wood. 

The  youth  thought,  "  That  is  a  wonderful  beast,  he  has 
strange  whims.  Who  is  going  to  buy  gallows'-flesh?  and  the 
desire  to  sit  at  the  edge  of  a  well  has  never  yet  seized  me." 

He  rode  on  with  the  beautiful  maiden,  and  his  road  took  him 
again  through  the  village  in  which  his  two  brothers  had  re- 
mained. There  was  a  great  stir  and  noise,  and,  when  he  asked 
what  was  going  on,  he  was  told  that  two  men  were  going  to  be 
hanged.  As  he  came  nearer  to  the  place  he  saw  that  they  were 
his  brothers,  who  had  been  playing  all  kinds  of  wicked  pranks, 
and  had  squandered  their  entire  wealth.  He  inquired  whether 
they  could  not  be  set  free. 

"  If  you  will  pay  for  them,"  answered  the  people;  "  but  why 

[194] 


THE  GOLDEN  BIRD 

should  you  waste  your  money  on  wicked  men,  and  buy  them 
free?" 

He  did  not  think  twice  about  it,  but  paid  for  them.  And 
when  they  were  set  free  they  all  went  on  their  way  together. 

They  came  to  the  wood  where  the  Fox  had  first  met  them, 
and,  as  it  was  cool  and  pleasant  within  it,  whilst  the  sun  shone 
hotly,  the  two  brothers  said,  "  Let  us  rest  a  little  by  the  well, 
and  eat  and  drink." 

He  agreed,  and  whilst  they  were  talking  he  forgot  himself, 
and  sat  down  upon  the  edge  of  the  well  without  foreboding  any 
evil.  But  the  two  brothers  threw  him  backwards  into  the  well, 
took  the  maiden,  the  Horse,  and  the  Bird,  and  went  home  to 
their  father.  "  Here  we  bring  you  not  only  the  Golden  Bird," 
said  they ;  "  we  have  won  the  Golden  Horse  also,  and  the 
maiden  from  the  Golden  Castle." 

Then  was  there  great  joy.  But  the  Horse  would  not  eat, 
the  Bird  would  not  sing,  and  the  maiden  sat  and  wept. 

But  the  youngest  brother  was  not  dead.  By  good  fortune 
the  well  was  dry,  and  he  fell  upon  soft  moss  without  being  hurt. 
But  he  could  not  get  out  again.  Even  in  this  strait,  the  faith- 
ful Fox  did  not  leave  him.  He  came  and  leapt  down  to  him, 
and  upbraided  him  for  having  forgotten  his  advice.  "  But  yet 
I  cannot  give  it  up  so,"  he  said;  "  I  will  help  you  up  again  into 
daylight."  He  bade  him  grasp  his  tail  and  keep  tight  hold  of 
it ;  and  then  he  pulled  him  up. 

"  You  are  not  out  of  all  danger  yet,"  said  the  Fox.     "  Your 

brothers  were  not  sure  of  your  death,  and  have  surrounded  the 

wood  with  watchers,  who  are  to  kill  you  if  you  let  yourself  be 

seen." 

[195] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

But  a  poor  man  was  sitting  upon  the  road,  with  whom  the 
youth  changed  clothes,  and  in  this  way  he  got  to  the  King's 
palace. 

No  one  knew  him,  but  the  Bird  began  to  sing,  the  Horse 
began  to  eat,  and  the  beautiful  maiden  left  off  weeping.  The 
King,  astonished,  asked,  "  What  does  this  mean?  " 

Then  the  maiden  said,  "  I  do  not  know,  but  I  have  been  so 
sorrowful  and  now  I  am  so  happy !  I  feel  as  if  my  true  Bride- 
groom had  come."  She  told  him  all  that  had  happened,  al- 
though the  other  brothers  had  threatened  her  with  death  if  she 
were  to  betray  anything. 

The  King  commanded  that  all  people,  who  were  in  his  castle, 
should  be  brought  before  him;  and  amongst  them  came  the 
youth  in  his  ragged  clothes.  But  the  maiden  knew  him  at  once 
and  fell  upon  his  neck.  The  wicked  brothers  were  seized  and 
put  to  death,  but  he  was  married  to  the  beautiful  maiden  and 
declared  heir  to  the  King. 

But  how  did  it  fare  with  the  poor  Fox?  Long  afterward, 
the  King's  Son  was  once  again  walking  in  the  wood,  when  the 
Fox  met  him  and  said,  "  You  have  everything  now  that  you 
can  wish  for.  But  there  is  never  an  end  to  my  misery,  and  yet 
it  is  in  your  power  to  free  me,"  and  again  he  asked  him  with 
tears  to  shoot  him  dead  and  to  chop  off  his  head  and  feet. 

So  he  did  it,  and  scarcely  was  it  done  when  the  Fox  was 
changed  into  a  man,  and  was  no  other  than  the  brother  of  the 
beautiful  Princess,  who  at  last  was  freed  from  the  magic  charm 
which  had  been  laid  upon  him. 

And  now  nothing  more  was  wanting  to  tHeir  happiness  as 

long  as  they  lived. 

[196] 


THE  QUEEN  BEE 

TWO  King's  Sons  once  went  out  in  search  of  adventures, 
and  fell  into  a  wild,  disorderly  way  of  living,  so  that 
they  never  came  home  again.  The  youngest,  who  was 
called  Simpleton,  set  out  to  seek  his  brothers.  When  at  length 
he  found  them,  they  mocked  him  for  thinking  that  he  with  his 
simplicity  could  get  through  the  world,  when  they  two  could 
not  make  their  way,  and  yet  were  so  much  cleverer. 

They  all  three  traveled  away  together,  and  came  to  an  ant- 
hill. The  two  elder  wanted  to  destroy  it,  to  see  the  little  ants 
creeping  about  in  their  terror,  carrying  their  eggs  away,  but 
Simpleton  said,  "  Leave  the  creatures  in  peace.  I  will  not 
allow  you  to  disturb  them." 

Then  they  went  farther,  and  came  to  a  lake,  on  which  a  great 
number  of  ducks  were  swimming.  The  two  brothers  wanted 
to  catch  a  couple  and  roast  them,  but  Simpleton  would  not 
permit  it,  and  said,  "  Leave  the  creatures  in  peace.  I  will  not 
suffer  you  to  kill  them/' 

At  length  they  came  to  a  bee's  nest,  in  which  there  was  so 

much  honey,  that  it  ran  out  of  the  trunk  of  the  tree  where  it  was. 

[197] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

The  two  wanted  to  make  a  fire  under  the  tree,  and  suffocate 
the  bees  in  order  to  take  away  the  honey,  but  Simpleton  again 
stopped  them  and  said,  "  Leave  the  creatures  in  peace.  I  will 
not  allow  you  to  burn  them." 

At  last  the  two  brothers  arrived  at  a  castle  where  stone  horses 
were  standing  in  the  stables,  and  no  human  being  was  to  be 
seen.  They  went  through  all  the  halls  until  they  came  to  a 
door  in  which  were  three  locks.  In  the  middle  of  the  door 
there  was  a  little  pane,  through  which  they  could  see  into  the 
room. 

There  they  saw  a  little  Gray  Man  sitting  at  a  table.  They 
called  him,  once,  twice,  but  he  did  not  hear.  Then  they  called 
him  for  the  third  time,  when  he  got  up,  opened  the  locks,  and 
came  out.  He  said  nothing  but  led  them  to  a  handsomely- 
spread  table ;  and  when  they  had  eaten  and  drunk,  he  took  each 
of  them  to  a  bedroom. 

Next  morning,  the  little  Gray  Man  came  to  the  eldest,  beck- 
oned to  him,  and  conducted  him  to  a  stone  table,  on  which  were 
inscribed  three  tasks,  by  the  doing  of  which  the  castle  could 
be  delivered.  The  first  was  that  in  the  forest,  beneath  the  moss, 
lay  the  Princess's  pearls,  a  thousand  in  number,  which  must  be 
picked  up.  And  if  by  sunset,  one  single  pearl  was  wanting,  he 
who  had  looked  for  them  would  be  turned  to  stone. 

The  eldest  went  thither,  and  sought  the  whole  day,  but  when 
it  came  to  an  end,  he  had  found  only  one  hundred,  and  what 
was  written  on  the  table  came  to  pass,  he  was  changed  into 
stone. 

Next  day,  the  second  brother  undertook  the  adventure.     It 

did  not,  however,  fare  much  better  with  him  than  with  the 

[198] 


THE  QUEEN  BEE 

eldest.  He  did  not  find  more  than  two  hundred  pearls,  and 
was  changed  to  stone. 

At  last,  the  turn  came  to  Simpleton,  who  sought  in  the  moss. 
But  it  was  so  hard  to  find  the  pearls,  and  he  got  on  so  slowly, 
that  he  seated  himself  on  a  stone,  and  wept.  And  while  he  was 
thus  sitting,  the  King  of  the  Ants,  whose  life  he  had  once  saved, 
came  with  five  thousand  ants,  and  before  long  the  little  crea- 
tures had  got  all  the  pearls  together,  and  laid  them  in  a  heap. 

The  second  task  was  to  fetch  out  of  the  lake  the  key  of  the 
King's  Daughter's  bedchamber.  When  Simpleton  came  to 
the  lake,  the  ducks  which  he  had  saved,  swam  up  to  him,  dived 
down,  and  brought  the  key  out  of  the  water. 

But  the  third  task  was  the  most  difficult.  From  amongst  the 
three  sleeping  daughters  of  the  King,  the  youngest  and  dear- 
est was  to  be  sought  out.  They  resembled  each  other  exactly, 
and  were  only  to  be  distinguished  by  their  having  eaten  differ- 
ent sweetmeats  before  they  fell  asleep :  the  eldest  a  bit  of  sugar ; 
the  second  a  little  syrup ;  and  the  youngest  a  spoonful  of  honey. 

Then  the  Queen  of  the  Bees,  which  Simpleton  had  protected 
from  the  fire,  came  and  tasted  the  lips  of  all  three.  At  last  she 
remained  sitting  on  the  mouth  which  had  eaten  honey;  and 
thus  the  King's  Son  recognized  the  right  Princess. 

Then  the  enchantment  was  at  an  end.  Everything  was  re- 
leased from  sleep,  and  those  who  had  been  turned  to  stone  re- 
ceived once  more  their  natural  forms.  Simpleton  married  the 
youngest  and  sweetest  Princess,  and  after  her  father's  death 
became  King,  while  his  two  brothers  received  the  two  other 
sisters. 


[199] 


BIRD-FOUND 


THERE  was  once  a  forester,  who  went  into  the  forest 
to  hunt.  When  he  entered  it,  he  heard  a  screaming 
as  if  a  little  child  was  there. 

He  followed  the  sound,  and  at  last  came  to  a  high  tree.  In 
the  top  of  it  a  little  child  was  sitting.  His  mother  had  fallen 
asleep  under  the  tree  with  the  child,  and  a  bird  of  prey  had 
seen  him  in  her  arms,  flown  down,  and  snatched  him  away,  and 
set  him  on  the  high  tree. 

The  forester  climbed  the  tree,  and  brought  the  child  down. 
And  he  thought  to  himself,  "  I  will  take  him  home,  and  bring 
him  up  with  my  Lina." 

He  took  him  home,  and  the  two  children  grew  up  together. 
The  one  he  had  found  in  a  tree,  he  called  Bird-Found,  because 
a  bird  had  carried  it  away. 

Bird-Found  and  Lina  loved  each  other  so  dearly,  that  when 
they  did  not  see  each  other  they  were  sad. 

The  forester,  however,  had  an  old  cook,  who  one  evening 
took  two  pails  and  began  to  fetch  water,  and  did  not  go  once 

only,  but  many  times,  out  to  the  spring. 

[200] 


BIRD-FOUND 

Lina  saw  this  and  said,  "  Hark  you,  old  Sanna,  why  are  you 
fetching  so  much  water?  " 

Then  the  cook  said,  "  Early  to-morrow  morning,  when  the 
forester  is  out  hunting,  I  will  heat  the  water.  When  it  is  boil- 
ing in  the  kettle,  I  will  throw  in  Bird-Found,  and  will  boil  him 
in  it." 

Betimes  next  morning,  the  forester  got  up  and  went  out 
hunting1;  and  when  he  was  gone  the  children  were  still  in  bed. 
Then  Lina  said  to  Bird-Found,  "  If  you  will  never  leave  me, 
I  will  never  leave  you." 

Bird-Found  said,  "  Neither  now,  nor  ever,  will  I  leave  you." 

Then  said  Lina,  "  I  will  tell  you.  Last  night,  old  Sanna 
carried  so  many  buckets  of  water  into  the  house  that  I  asked 
her  why  she  was  doing  so.  She  said  that  early  to-morrow 
morning,  when  Father  was  out  hunting,  she  would  set  on  the 
kettle  full  of  water,  throw  you  into  it  and  boil  you.  But  we 
will  get  up  quickly,  dress  ourselves,  and  go  away  together." 

The  two  children,  therefore,  got  up,  dressed  themselves 
quickly,  and  went  away.  When  the  water  in  the  kettle  was 
boiling,  the  cook  came  into  the  bedroom  to  fetch  Bird-Found 
and  throw  him  into  it.  But  when  she  came  in,  and  went  to  the 
beds,  both  the  children  were  gone. 

Then  she  was  terribly  frightened,  and  she  said  to  herself, 
"  What  shall  I  say  now  when  the  forester  comes  home  and 
sees  that  the  children  are  gone?  They  must  be  followed  in- 
stantly and  brought  back." 

Then  the  cook  sent  three  servants  after  them,  who  were  to 
run  and  overtake  the  children. 

The  children,  however,  were  sitting  outside  the  forest,  and 

[201] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

when  they  saw  from  afar  the  three  servants  running,  Lina  said 
to  Bird-Found,  "  Never  leave  me,  and  I  will  never  leave  you." 

Bird-Found  said,  "  Neither  now,  nor  ever." 

Then  said  Lina,  "  Do  you  become  a  rose-tree,  and  I  the  rose 
upon  it." 

When  the  three  servants  came  to  the  forest,  nothing  was 
there  but  a  rose-tree  and  one  rose  on  it;  the  children  were  no- 
where. Said  they,  "  There  is  nothing  to  be  done  here,"  and 
they  went  home  and  told  the  cook  that  they  had  seen  nothing 
in  the  forest  but  a  little  rose-bush  with  one  rose  on  it. 

Then  the  old  cook  scolded  and  said,  "  You  simpletons,  you 
should  have  cut  the  rose-bush  in  two,  and  have  broken  off  the 
rose  and  brought  it  home  with  you.    Go,  and  do  it  at  once." 

They  had  therefore  to  go  out  and  look  for  the  second  time. 
The  children,  however,  saw  them  coming  from  a  distance. 

Then  Lina  said,  "  Bird-Found,  never  leave  me,  and  I  will 
never  leave  you." 

Bird-Found  said,  "  Neither  now,  nor  ever." 

Said  Lina,  "  Then  do  you  become  a  church,  and  I'll  be  the 
chandelier  in  it." 

So  when  the  three  servants  came,  nothing  was  there  but  a 
church,  with  a  chandelier  in  it.  They  said  therefore  to  each 
other,  "  What  can  we  do  here?  Let  us  go  home."  When  they 
got  home,  the  cook  asked  if  they  had  not  found  them.  They 
said  no,  they  had  found  nothing  bvit  a  church,  and  that  there 
was  a  chandelier  in  it. 

The  cook  scolded  them  and  said,  "  You  fools !  Why  did  you 
not  pull  the  church  to  pieces,  and  bring  the  chandelier  home 

with  you?  " 

[202] 


BIRD-FOUND 

And  now  the  old  cook  herself  got  on  her  legs,  and  went,  with 
the  three  servants,  in  pursuit  of  the  children.  The  children 
saw  from  afar  that  the  three  servants  were  coming,  and  the 
cook  waddling  after  them. 

Then  said  Lina,  "  Bird-Found,  never  leave  me,  and  I  will 
never  leave  you." 

Then  said  Bird-Found,  "  Neither  now,  nor  ever." 
Said  Lina,  "Bea  fishpond,  and  I  will  be  the  duck  upon  it." 
The  cook,  however,  came  up  to  them,  and  when  she  saw  the 
pond  she  lay  down  by  it,  and  was  about  to  drink  it  up,  when 
she  fell  into  the  water,  and  there  the  old  Witch  had  to  drown. 

Then  the  children  went  home  together,  and  were  heartily 
delighted,  and  if  they  are  not  dead,  they  are  living  still. 


[203] 


THE  GOLDEN  GOOSE 

THERE  was  a  man  who  had  three  sons,  the  youngest  of 
whom  was  called  Dunderhead,  and  was  despised, 
mocked,  and  put  down  on  every  occasion. 

It  happened,  that  the  eldest  wanted  to  go  into  the  forest  to 
hew  wood.  Before  he  went  his  mother  gave  him  a  beautiful 
sweet  cake  and  a  bottle  of  wine,  that  he  might  not  suffer  from 
hunger  or  thirst. 

When  he  entered  the  forest,  there  met  him  a  little  old  Gray 
Man  who  bade  him  good-day,  and  said,  "  Do  give  me  a  piece  of 
cake  out  of  your  pocket,  and  let  me  have  a  draught  of  your 
wine.    I  am  so  hungry  and  thirsty." 

But  the  prudent  youth  answered,  "  If  I  give  you  my  cake 
and  wine,  I  shall  have  none  for  myself.  Be  off  with  you,"  and 
he  left  the  Little  Man  standing  and  went  on. 

But  when  he  began  to  hew  down  a  tree,  it  was  not  long  be- 
fore he  made  a  false  stroke,  and  the  axe  cut  him  in  the  arm. 
So  he  had  to  go  home  and  have  it  bound  up.  And  this  was  the 
little  Gray  Man's  doing. 

After  this,  the  second  son  went  into  the  forest,  and  his 

[204  J 


THE  GOLDEN  GOOSE 

mother  gave  him,  like  the  eldest,  a  cake  and  a  bottle  of  wine. 
The  little  old  Gray  Man  met  him  likewise,  and  asked  him  for 
a  piece  of  cake  and  a  drink  of  wine.  But  the  second  son,  too, 
said  with  much  reason,  "  What  I  give  you  will  be  taken  away 
from  myself.  Be  off!"  and  he  left  the  Little  Man  standing 
and  went  on. 

His  punishment,  however,  was  not  delayed.  When  he  had 
made  a  few  strokes  at  the  tree,  he  struck  himself  in  the  leg.  So 
he  had  to  be  carried  home. 

Then  Dunderhead  said,  "  Father,  do  let  me  go  and  cut 
wood." 

The  father  answered,  "  Your  brothers  have  hurt  themselves 
doing  so.  Leave  it  alone.  You  do  not  understand  anything 
about  it." 

But  Dunderhead  begged  so  long  that  at  last  he  said,  "  Go 
then.    You  will  get  wiser  by  hurting  yourself." 

His  mother  gave  him  a  cake  made  with  water  and  baked  in 
the  cinders,  and  with  it  a  bottle  of  sour  beer. 

When  he  came  to  the  forest  the  little  old  Gray  Man  met 
him  likewise,  and  greeting  him  said,  "  Give  me  a  piece  of  your 
cake  and  a  drink  out  of  your  bottle.  I  am  so  hungry  and 
thirsty." 

Dunderhead  answered,  "  I  have  only  cinder-cake  and  sour 
beer.    If  that  pleases  you,  we  will  sit  down  and  eat." 

So  they  sat  down,  and  when  Dunderhead  pulled  out  his 
cinder-cake,  it  was  a  fine  sweet  cake,  and  the  sour  beer  had  be- 
come good  wine. 

So  they  ate  and  drank,  and  after  that  the  Little  Man  said, 

"  Since  you  have  a  good  heart,  and  are  willing  to  divide  what 

[  205  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

you  have,  I  will  give  you  good  luck.  There  stands  an  old  tree. 
Cut  it  down,  and  you  will  find  something  at  the  roots." 

Then  the  old  man  took  leave  of  him. 

Dunderhead  went  and  cut  down  the  tree;  and  when  it  fell 
there  was  a  Goose  sitting  in  the  roots,  with  feathers  of  pure 
gold.  He  lifted  her  up,  and  taking  her  with  him,  went  to  an 
inn,  where  he  thought  he  would  stay  the  night.  Now  the  host 
had  three  daughters,  who  saw  the  Goose  and  were  curious  to 
know  what  such  a  wonderful  bird  might  be.  And  each  wanted 
one  of  its  feathers. 

The  eldest  thought,  "  I  shall  soon  find  an  opportunity  of 
pulling  out  a  feather,"  and  when  Dunderhead  was  gone  out,  she 
seized  the  Goose  by  the  wing.  But  her  finger  and  hand  re- 
mained sticking  fast  to  it. 

The  second  came  in  soon  afterward,  thinking  only  of  how 
she  might  get  a  feather  for  herself,  but  she  had  scarcely  touched 
her  sister  than  she  was  held  fast. 

At  last,  the  third  came  with  the  like  intent,  and  the  others 
screamed  out,  "  Keep  away!    For  goodness'  sake  keep  away!  " 

But  she  did  not  understand  why  she  was  to  keep  away. 
"  The  others  are  there,"  she  thought,  "  I  may  as  well  be  there 
too,"  and  ran  to  them.  But  as  soon  as  she  had  touched  her 
sister,  she  remained  sticking  fast  to  her.  So  they  had  to  spend 
the  night  with  the  Goose. 

The  next  morning,  Dunderhead  took  the  Goose  under  his 

arm  and  set  out,  without  troubling  himself  about  the  three  girls 

who  were  hanging  on  to  it.    They  were  obliged  to  run  after 

him,  now  left,  now  right,  just  as  he  was  inclined  to  go. 

In  the  middle  of  the  fields,  the  parson  met  them,  and  when 

[206] 


THE  GOLDEN  GOOSE- 

he  saw  the  procession  he  said,  "  For  shame,  you  good-for- 
nothing  girls!  Why  are  you  running  across  the  fields  after 
this  young  man?  Is  that  seemly?  "  At  the  same  time  he  seized 
the  youngest  by  the  hand  in  order  to  pull  her  away.  But  as 
soon  as  he  touched  her,  he  likewise  stuck  fast,  and  was  obliged 
to  run  behind.  Before  long,  the  sexton  came  by  and  saw  his 
master,  the  parson,  running  on  foot  behind  three  girls.  He  was 
astonished  at  this,  and  called  out,  "Hi!  your  Reverence! 
Whither  away  so  quickly?  Do  not  forget  that  we  have  a 
christening  to-day !  "  and  running  after  him  he  took  him  by  the 
sleeve,  but  was  also  held  fast. 

While  the  five  were  trotting  thus  one  behind  the  other,  two 
laborers  came  with  their  hoes  from  the  fields.  The  parson 
called  out  to  them  and  begged  that  they  would  set  him  and 
the  sexton  free.  But  they  had  scarcely  touched  the  sexton, 
when  they  were  held  fast.  And  now  there  were  seven  of  them 
running  behind  Dunderhead  and  the  Goose. 

Soon  afterward,  he  came  to  a  city,  where  a  King  ruled  who 
had  a  daughter  who  was  so  serious  that  no  one  could  make  her 
laugh.  So  he  had  put  forth  a  decree  that  whosoever  should 
make  her  laugh  should  marry  her.  When  Dunderhead  heard 
this,  he  went  with  his  Goose  and  all  her  train  before  the  King's 
Daughter. 

As  soon  as  she  saw  the  seven  people  running  on  and  on,  one 
behind  the  other,  she  began  to  laugh  very  loudly  as  if  she  would 
never  leave  off.  Thereupon  Dunderhead  asked  to  have  her  for 
his  wife,  and  the  wedding  was  celebrated. 

After  the  King's  death,  Dunderhead  inherited  the  Kingdom, 

and  lived  a  long  time  contentedly  with  his  wife. 

[  207  ] 


MOTHER  HOLLE 

THERE  was  once  a  widow  who  had  two  daughters,  one 
of  whom  was  beautiful  and  industrious,  whilst  the 
other  was  ugly  and  lazy.  But  she  was  much  fonder 
of  the  ugly  and  lazy  one.  Every  day,  the  other,  poor  girl,  had 
to  sit  by  a  well  in  the  highway,  and  spin,  spin  till  her  fingers 
bled. 

Now  it  happened,  one  day,  that  the  shuttle  was  stained  with 
her  blood.  She  dipped  it  in  the  well  to  wash  the  stains  off,  and 
it  dropped  out  of  her  hand  and  fell  to  the  bottom.  She  began 
to  weep,  and  ran  to  the  woman,  and  told  her  of  the  mishap. 

She  scolded  her  hard,  and  was  so  cruel  as  to  say,  "  Since 
you  have  let  the  shuttle  fall  in,  you  must  fetch  it  out  again." 

So  the  girl  went  back  to  the  well,  and  did  not  know  what  to 
do.  Then  in  the  anguish  of  her  heart,  she  jumped  into  the  well 
to  get  the  shuttle.  She  lost  her  senses.  But  when  she  awoke 
and  came  to  herself,  she  was  in  a  lovely  meadow,  where  the 
sun  was  shining  and  thousands  of  flowers  were  growing. 

Along  this  meadow  she  went,  and  at  length  came  to  a  baker's 

oven  full  of  bread.    And  the  bread  cried: 

[208] 


MOTHER  HOLLE 

"Oh,  take  me  out!    Take  me  out! 
Or  I  shall  burn!    I  am  well  baked!" 

So  she  went  up  to  it,  and,  with  the  bread  shovel*  took  out  all 
the  loaves  one  after  the  other. 

After  that,  she  went  on  till  she  came  to  a  tree  covered  with 
apples,  and  it  called  to  her: 

"Oh,  shake  me!    Shake  me! 
We  apples  are  all  ripe!" 

So  she  shook  the  tree  till  the  apples  fell  like  rain,  and  went  on 
shaking  till  they  were  all  down.  And  when  she  had  gathered 
them  into  a  heap,  she  went  on  her  way. 

At  last,  she  came  to  a  little  house  out  of  which  an  Old 
Woman  was  peeping.  She  had  such  large  teeth  that  the  girl 
was  frightened,  and  was  about  to  run  away. 

But  the  Old  Woman  called  out  to  her,  "  What  are  you 
afraid  of,  my  Child?  Stay  with  me.  If  you  will  do  the  work 
in  my  house  carefully,  you  shall  be  the  better  for  it !  Only  you 
must  take  care  to  make  my  bed  well,  and  to  shake  it  thoroughly 
till  the  feathers  fly — for  then  it  snows  on  earth.  I  am  Mother 
Holle." 

As  the  Old  Woman  spoke  so  kindly  to  her,  the  girl  took 
heart,  and  willingly  entered  her  service.  She  did  everything 
to  the  Old  Woman's  satisfaction,  and  always  shook  her  bed  so 
hard  that  the  feathers  flew  about  like  snowflakes.  So  she  lived 
happily  with  her,  never  an  angry  word,  and  boiled  or  roasted 
meat  every  day. 

She  stayed  some  time  with  Mother  Holle,  then  she  grew 

sad.    At  first  she  did  not  know  what  was  the  matter  with  her, 

[209] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

but,  by  and  by,  she  found  that  it  was  homesickness.  Although 
she  was  many  thousand  times  better  off  here  than  at  home, 
still  she  had  a  longing  to  be  there. 

At  last,  she  said  to  the  Old  Woman,  "  I  am  longing  for 
home.  However  well  off  I  am  down  here,  I  cannot  stay  any 
longer.    I  must  go  up  again  to  my  own  people." 

Mother  Holle  said,  "  I  am  pleased  that  you  long  for  your 
home  again.  You  have  served  me  so  faithfully,  that  I  myself 
will  take  you  up  again." 

Thereupon  she  took  her  by  the  hand,  and  led  her  to  a  large 
door.  The  door  was  opened,  and  just  as  the  girl  was  stand- 
ing beneath  the  doorway,  a  heavy  shower  of  Gold-Rain 
fell,  and  all  the  gold  stuck  to  her  so  that  she  was  covered 
with  it. 

"  You  shall  have  that  because  you  are  so  industrious,"  said 
Mother  Holle.  And  at  the  same  time,  she  gave  her  back  the 
shuttle  which  she  had  let  fall  into  the  well. 

Thereupon  the  door  closed,  and  the  girl  found  herself  again 
upon  the  earth,  not  far  from  her  mother's  house. 

As  she  went  into  the  yard,  the  cock  was  standing  by  the 

well,  and  cried: 

' '  Cock-a-doodle-doo  ! 
Your  Golden  Girl's  come  back  to  you!" 

So  she  went  into  her  mother.    And  as  she  was  thus  covered  with 

gold,  she  was  welcomed  by  both  her  and  the  sister. 

The  girl  told  all  that  had  happened  to  her.    As  soon  as  the 

mother  heard  how  she  had  come  by  such  great  riches,  she  was 

anxious  for  the  same  good  fortune  to  befall  her  ugly  and  lazy 

daughter.    She  had  to  seat  herself  by  the  well  and  spin.    And 

[210] 


A  HEAVY  SHOWER  OF  GOLD-RAIN  FELL 


MOTHER  HOLLE 

in  order  that  her  shuttle  might  be  stained  with  blood,  she  stuck 
her  hand  into  a  thorn-bush,  and  pricked  her  finger.  Then  she 
threw  her  shuttle  into  the  well,  and  jumped  in  after  it. 

She  came  like  the  other  to  the  beautiful  meadow,  and  walked 
along  the  very  same  path.  When  she  got  to  the  oven,  the  bread 
cried  again: 

"Oh,  take  me  out!    Take  me  out! 
Or  I  shall  burn!    I  am  well  baked!" 

But  the  lazy  thing  answered,  "  As  if  I  wanted  to  soil  myself! " 
and  on  she  went. 

Soon  she  came  to  the  apple-tree,  which  cried: 

"Oh,  shake  me!    Shake  me! 
We  apples  are  all  ripe!" 

But  she  answered,  "  I  like  that!  One  of  you  might  fall  on  my 
head!  "  and  on  she  went. 

When  she  came  to  Mother  Holle's  house,  she  was  not  afraid, 
for  she  had  already  heard  about  her  big  teeth.  She  hired  her- 
self out  immediately. 

The  first  day,  she  made  herself  work  diligently,  and  obeyed 
Mother  Holle,  when  she  told  her  to  do  anything,  for  she  was 
thinking  of  all  the  gold  that  she  would  give  her. 

But  on  the  second  day,  she  began  to  be  lazy,  and  on  the  third 
day  still  more  so,  for  then  she  would  not  get  up  in  the  morning. 
Neither  did  she  make  Mother  Holle's  bed  carefully,  nor  shake 
it  so  as  to  make  the  feathers  fly  up. 

Mother  Holle  was  soon  tired  of  this,  and  gave  her  notice  to 

leave.    The  lazy  girl  was  willing  to  go,  and  thought  that  now 

the  Gold-Rain  would  come.    Mother  Holle  led  her  to  the  great 

[211] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

doorway.  But  while  she  was  standing  under  it,  instead  of  gold, 
a  big  kettleful  of  pitch  was  emptied  over  her. 

"  That  is  the  reward  of  your  service,"  said  Mother  Holle, 
and  shut  the  door. 

So  the  lazy  girl  went  home.  She  was  covered  with  pitch, 
and  the  cock  by  the  well,  as  soon  as  he  saw  her,  cried  out : 

' '  Cock-a-doodle-doo ! 
Tour  Pitchy  Girl's  come  back  to  you!" 

But  the  pitch  stuck  fast  to  her,  and  could  not  be  got  off  so  long 
as  she  lived. 


[212] 


THE  TWO  TRAVELERS 

HILL  and  vale  do  not  come  together,  but  the  children  of 
men  do,  good  and  bad.    In  this  way  a  shoemaker  and  a 
tailor  once  met  with  each  other  in  their  travels. 
The  tailor  was  a  handsome  little  fellow  who  was  always 
merry  and  full  of  enjoyment.    He  saw  the  shoemaker  coming 
toward  him  from  the  other  side,  and  as  he  observed  by  his  bag 
what  kind  of  a  trade  he  plied,  he  sang  a  little  mocking  song  to 

him: 

Sew  me  the  seam, 
Draw  me  the  thread, 

* 

Spread  it  with  pitch, 
Knock  the  nail  on  the  head. 

The  shoemaker,  however,  could  not  endure  a  joke.  He  pulled 
a  face  as  if  he  had  drunk  vinegar,  and  made  a  gesture  as  if  he 
were  about  to  seize  the  tailor  by  the  throat. 

But  the  little  fellow  began  to  laugh,  reached  him  his  bottle, 
and  said,  "  No  harm  was  meant,  take  a  drink,  and  swallow  your 
anger  down." 

The  shoemaker  took  a  very  hearty  drink,  and  the  storm  on 

his  face  began  to  clear  away. 

[213] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

He  gave  the  bottle  back  to  the  tailor,  and  said,  "  I  spoke 
civilly  to  you.  One  speaks  well  after  much  drinking,  but  not 
after  much  thirst.    Shall  we  travel  together?  " 

"  All  right,"  answered  the  tailor,  "  if  only  it  suits  you  to  go 
into  a  big  town  where  there  is  no  lack  of  work." 

"  That  is  just  where  I  want  to  go,"  answered  the  shoemaker. 
"  In  a  small  nest  there  is  nothing  to  earn ;  and  in  the  country, 
people  like  to  go  barefoot." 

They  traveled  therefore  onward  together,  and  always  set  one 
foot  before  the  other  like  a  weazel  in  the  snow. 

Both  of  them  had  time  enough,  but  little  to  bite  and  to  break. 
When  they  reached  a  town,  they  went  about  and  paid  their 
respects  to  the  tradesmen. 

Because  the  tailor  looked  so  lively  and  merry,  and  had  such 
pretty  red  cheeks,  every  one  gave  him  work  willingly.  And 
when  luck  was  good,  the  master's  daughters  gave  him  a  kiss 
beneath  the  porch,  as  well.  When  he  again  fell  in  with  the 
shoemaker,  the  tailor  had  always  the  most  in  his  bundle. 

The  ill-tempered  shoemaker  made  a  wry  face,  and  thought, 
"  The  greater  the  rascal  the  more  the  luck." 

But  the  tailor  began  to  laugh  and  to  sing,  and  shared  all  he 
got  with  his  comrade.  If  a  couple  of  pence  jingled  in  his  pock- 
ets, he  ordered  good  cheer,  and  thumped  the  table  in  his  joy 
till  the  glasses  danced,  and  it  was  lightly  come,  lightly  go,  with 
him. 

When  they  had  traveled  for  some  time,  they  came  to  a  great 
forest  through  which  passed  the  road  to  the  capital.  Two  foot- 
paths, however,  led  through  it,  one  of  them  a  seven  days'  jour- 

[  214  ] 


THE  TWO  TRAVELERS 

ney,  and  the  other  only  two.  But  neither  of  the  travelers  knew 
which  way  was  the  short  one. 

They  seated  themselves  beneath  an  oak-tree,  and  took  coun- 
sel together  as  to  what  they  should  do  and  for  how  many  days 
they  should  provide  themselves  with  bread. 

The  shoemaker  said,  "  One  must  look  before  one  leaps.  I 
will  take  with  me  bread  for  a  week." 

"What!"  said  the  tailor,  "drag  bread  for  seven  days  on 
one's  back  like  a  beast  of  burden,  and  not  be  able  to  look  about. 
I  shall  trust  in  God,  and  not  trouble  myself  about  anything! 
The  money  I  have  in  my  pocket  is  as  good  in  summer  as  in 
winter ;  but  in  hot  weather  bread  gets  dry  and  mouldy  into  the 
bargain.  Even  my  coat  does  not  go  as  far  as  it  might.  Be- 
sides, why  should  we  not  find  the  right  way?  Bread  for  two 
days,  and  that's  enough." 

Each,  therefore,  bought  his  own  bread.  And  then  they  tried 
their  luck  in  the  forest. 

It  was  as  quiet  there  as  in  a  church.  No  wind  stirred,  no 
brook  murmured,  no  bird  sang,  and  through  the  thickly-leaved 
branches,  no  sunbeam  forced  its  way. 

The  shoemaker  spoke  never  a  word,  the  heavy  bread  weighed 
down  his  back  until  the  perspiration  streamed  down  his  cross 
and  gloomy  face. 

The  tailor,  however,  was  quite  merry;  he  jumped  about, 
whistled  on  a  leaf,  or  sang  a  song,  and  thought  to  himself, 
"  God  in  Heaven  must  be  pleased  to  see  me  so  happy." 

This  lasted  two  days,  but  on  the  third  the  forest  would  not 

come  to  an  end,  and  the  tailor  had  eaten  up  all  his  bread,  so 

[215] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

after  all  his  heart  sank  down  a  yard  deeper.  In  the  meantime, 
he  did  not  lose  courage,  but  relied  on  God  and  on  his  luck. 

On  the  third  day,  he  lay  down  in  the  evening  hungry  under 
a  tree,  and  rose  again  next  morning  hungry  still. 

So  also  passed  the  fourth  day,  and  when  the  shoemaker 
seated  himself  on  a  fallen  tree  and  devoured  his  dinner,  the 
tailor  was  only  a  looker-on. 

If  he  begged  for  a  little  piece  of  bread  the  other  laughed 
mockingly,  and  said,  "  You  have  always  been  so  merry,  now 
you  can  try  for  once  what  it  is  to  be  sad.  The  birds  which  sing 
too  early  in  the  morning,  are  struck  by  the  hawk  in  the  even- 
ing," in  short  he  was  pitiless. 

But  on  the  fifth  morning,  the  poor  tailor  could  no  longer 
stand  up,  and  was  hardly  able  to  utter  one  word  for  weakness. 
His  cheeks  were  white,  and  his  eyes  red. 

Then  the  shoemaker  said  to  him,  "  I  will  give  you  a  bit  of 
bread  to-day,  but  in  return  for  it,  I  will  put  out  your  right 
eye." 

The  unhappy  tailor,  who  still  wished  to  save  his  life,  could 
not  do  it  in  any  other  way.  He  wept  once  more  with  both  eyes, 
and  then  held  them  out.  The  shoemaker,  who  had  a  heart  of 
stone,  put  out  his  right  eye  with  a  sharp  knife. 

The  tailor  called  to  remembrance  what  his  mother  had 
formerly  said  to  him  when  he  had  been  eating  secretly  in  the 
pantry,  "  Eat  what  one  can,  and  suffer  what  one  must." 

When  he  had  consumed  his  dearly-bought  bread,  he  got 

on  his  legs  again,  forgot  his  misery  and  comforted  himself 

with  the  thought  that  he  could  always  see  enough  with  one 

eye. 

[216] 


THE  TWO  TRAVELERS 

But  on  the  sixth  day,  hunger  made  itself  felt  again,  and 
gnawed  him  almost  to  the  heart.  In  the  evening  he  fell  down 
by  a  tree,  and  on  the  seventh  morning  he  could  not  raise  him- 
self up  for  faintness,  and  death  was  close  at  hand. 

Then  said  the  shoemaker,  "  I  will  show  mercy  and  give  you 
bread  once  more,  but  you  shall  not  have  it  for  nothing.  I  shall 
put  out  your  other  eye  for  it." 

And  now  the  tailor  felt  how  thoughtless  his  life  had  been, 
prayed  to  God  for  forgiveness,  and  said,  "  Do  what  you  will, 
I  will  bear  what  I  must,  but  remember  that  our  Lord  God  does 
not  always  look  on  passively,  and  that  an  hour  will  come  when 
the  evil  deed,  which  you  have  done  to  me  and  which  I  have  not 
deserved  of  you,  will  be  requited.  When  times  were  good  with 
me,  I  shared  what  I  had  with  you.  My  trade  is  of  that  kind 
that  each  stitch  must  always  be  exactly  like  the  other.  If  I  no 
longer  have  my  eyes  and  can  sew  no  more,  I  must  go  a-begging. 
At  any  rate,  do  not  leave  me  here  alone  when  I  am  blind,  or  I 
shall  die  of  hunger." 

The  shoemaker,  however,  who  had  driven  God  out  of  his 
heart,  took  the  knife  and  put  out  his  left  eye.  Then  he  gave 
him  a  bit  of  bread  to  eat,  held  out  a  stick  to  him,  and  drew  him 
on  behind  him. 

When  the  sun  went  down,  they  got  out  of  the  forest,  and 
before  them  in  the  open  country  stood  the  gallows.  Thither 
the  shoemaker  guided  the  blind  tailor,  and  then  left  him  alone 
and  went  his  way. 

Weariness,  pain,  and  hunger  made  the  wretched  man  fall 
asleep,  and  he  slept  the  whole  night.    When  day  dawned  he 

awoke,  but  knew  not  where  he  lay. 

[  217  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Two  poor  sinners  were  hanging  on  the  gallows,  and  a  crow 
sat  on  the  head  of  each  of  them.  Then  one  of  the  men  who  had 
been  hanged  began  to  speak,  and  said,  "  Brother,  are  you 
awake? " 

"  Yes,  I  am  awake,"  answered  the  second. 

"  Then  I  will  tell  you  something,"  said  the  first;  "  the  dew 
which  this  night  has  fallen  down  over  us  from  the  gallows,  gives 
every  one  who  washes  himself  with  it,  his  eyes  again.  If  blind 
people  did  but  know  this,  how  many  would  regain  their  sight 
who  do  not  believe  that  to  be  possible!  " 

When  the  tailor  heard  that,  he  took  his  pocket-handkerchief, 
pressed  it  on  the  grass,  and  when  it  was  moist  with  dew,  washed 
the  sockets  of  his  eyes  with  it.  Immediately  was  fulfilled  what 
the  man  on  the  gallows  had  said,  and  a  couple  of  healthy  new 
eyes  filled  the  sockets. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  tailor  saw  the  sun  rise  behind  the 
mountains.  In  the  plain  before  him,  lay  the  great  royal  city 
with  its  magnificent  gates  and  hundred  towers.  The  golden 
balls  and  crosses  which  were  on  the  spires  began  to  shine.  He 
could  distinguish  every  leaf  on  the  trees,  saw  the  birds  which 
flew  past,  and  the  midges  which  danced  in  the  air.  He  took  a 
needle  out  of  his  pocket,  and  as  he  could  thread  it  as  well  as 
ever  he  had  done,  his  heart  danced  with  delight. 

He  threw  himself  on  his  knees,  thanked  God  for  the  mercy 
he  had  shown  him,  and  said  his  morning  prayer. 

Then  he  took  his  bundle  on  his  back,  and  soon  forgot  the  pain 
of  heart  he  had  endured,  and  went  on  his  way  singing  and 
whistling. 

The  first  thing  he  met  was  a  brown  foal  running  about  the 

[218] 


THE  TWO  TRAVELERS 

fields  at  large.  He  caught  it  by  the  mane,  and  wanted  to  spring 
on  it  and  ride  into  the  town. 

The  foal,  however,  begged  to  be  set  free.  "  I  am  still  too 
young,"  it  said,  "  even  a  light  tailor  such  as  you  are  would  break 
my  back  in  two — let  me  go  till  I  have  grown  strong.  A  time 
may  come  when  I  can  reward  you  for  it." 

"  Run  off,"  said  the  tailor,  "  I  see  you  are  still  a  giddy  thing." 

He  gave  it  a  touch  with  a  switch  over  its  back,  whereupon  it 
kicked  up  its  hind  legs  for  joy,  leapt  over  hedges  and  ditches, 
and  galloped  away  into  the  open  country. 

But  the  little  tailor  had  eaten  nothing  since  the  day  before. 
"  The  sun  to  be  sure  fills  my  eyes,"  said  he,  "  but  the  bread 
does  not  fill  my  mouth.  The  first  thing  that  comes  across  me 
and  is  even  half  eatable,  will  have  to  suffer  for  it." 

In  the  meantime  a  stork  stepped  solemnly  over  the  meadow 
toward  him. 

"  Halt,  halt ! "  cried  the  tailor,  and  seized  him  by  the  leg. 
"  I  don't  know  if  you  are  good  to  eat  or  not,  but  my  hunger 
leaves  me  no  great  choice.  I  must  cut  your  head  off,  and  roast 
you." 

"Don't  do  that,"  replied  the  stork;  "I  am  a  sacred  bird 
which  brings  mankind  great  profit,  and  no  one  ever  does  me 
an  injury.  Leave  me  my  life,  and  I  may  do  you  good  in  some 
other  way." 

"  Well,  be  off,  Cousin  Longlegs,"  said  the  tailor. 

The  stork  rose  up,  let  its  long  legs  hang  down,  and  flew 
gently  away. 

"  What's  to  be  the  end  of  this? "  said  the  tailor  to  himself  at 

last;  "  my  hunger  grows  greater  and  greater,  and  my  stomach 

[219] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

more  and  more  empty.  Whatsoever  comes  in  my  way  now  is 
lost." 

At  this  moment,  he  saw  a  couple  of  young  ducks  which  were 
on  a  pond,  come  swimming  toward  him. 

"  You  come  just  at  the  right  moment,"  said  he,  and  laid  hold 
of  one  of  them  and  was  about  to  wring  its  neck. 

On  this  an  old  duck,  which  was  hidden  among  the  reeds,  be- 
gan to  scream  loudly  and  swam  to  him  with  open  beak,  and 
begged  him  urgently  to  spare  her  dear  children. 

"  Can  you  not  imagine,"  said  she,  "  how  your  mother  would 
mourn  if  any  one  wanted  to  carry  you  off,  and  give  you  your 
deathblow?" 

"  Only  be  quiet,"  said  the  good-tempered  tailor;  "  you  shall 
keep  your  children,"  and  he  put  the  prisoner  back  into  the 
water. 

When  he  turned  round,  he  was  standing  in  front  of  an  old 
tree  which  was  partly  hollow,  and  saw  some  wild  bees  flying  in 
and  out  of  it. 

"  There  I  shall  at  once  find  the  reward  of  my  good  deed," 
said  the  tailor;  "  the  honey  will  refresh  me." 

But  the  Queen-Bee  came  out,  threatened  him  and  said,  "  If 
you  touch  my  people,  and  destroy  my  nest,  our  stings  shall 
pierce  your  skin  like  ten  thousand  red-hot  needles.  But  if  you 
will  leave  us  in  peace  and  go  your  way,  we  will  do  you  a  service 
for  it  another  time." 

The  little  tailor  saw  that  here  also  nothing  was  to  be  done. 
"  Three  dishes  empty  and  nothing  on  the  fourth  is  a  bad  din- 
ner!" 

He  dragged  himself  therefore  with  his  starved-out  stomach 

[220] 


THE  TWO  TRAVELERS 

into  the  town.  It  was  just  striking  twelve,  all  was  ready- 
cooked  for  him  in  the  inn,  and  he  was  able  to  sit  down  at  once 
to  dinner. 

When  he  was  satisfied,  he  said,  "  Now  I  will  get  to  work." 

He  went  round  the  town,  sought  a  master,  and  soon  found  a 
good  situation.  As  he  had  thoroughly  learned  his  trade,  it  was 
not  long  before  he  became  famous,  and  every  one  wanted  to 
have  a  new  coat  made  by  the  little  tailor,  whose  importance 
increased  daily. 

"  I  can  go  no  further  in  skill,"  said  he,  "  and  yet  things  im- 
prove every  clay." 

At  last  the  King  appointed  him  court-tailor. 

But  how  things  do  happen  in  the  world !  On  the  very  same 
day  his  former  comrade,  the  shoemaker,  also  became  court-shoe- 
maker. When  the  latter  caught  sight  of  the  tailor,  and  saw 
that  he  had  once  more  two  healthy  eyes,  his  conscience  troubled 
him. 

"  Before  he  takes  revenge  on  me,"  thought  he  to  himself,  "  I 
must  dig  a  pit  for  him." 

He,  however,  who  digs  a  pit  for  another,  falls  into  it  himself. 

In  the  evening  when  work  was  over  and  it  had  grown  dusk, 
he  stole  to  the  King  and  said,  "  Lord  King,  the  tailor  is  an 
arrogant  fellow  and  has  boasted  that  he  will  get  the  gold  crown 
back  again,  which  was  lost  in  ancient  times." 

"  That  would  please  me  very  much,"  said  the  King. 

He  caused  the  tailor  to  be  brought  before  him  next  morning, 
and  ordered  him  to  get  the  crown  back  again,  or  to  leave  the 
town  for  ever. 

"  Oho!  "  thought  the  tailor,  "  a  rogue  gives  more  than  he  has 

[221] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

got.  If  the  surly  King  wants  me  to  do  what  can  be  done  by  no 
one,  I  will  not  wait  till  morning,  but  will  go  out  of  the  town  at 
once,  to-day." 

He  packed  up  his  bundle,  but  when  he  was  without  the  gate, 
he  could  not  help  being  sorry  to  give  up  his  good  fortune  and 
turn  his  back  on  the  town  in  which  all  had  gone  so  well  with 
him.  He  came  to  the  pond  where  he  had  made  the  acquaintance 
of  the  ducks. 

At  that  very  moment  the  old  one  whose  young  ones  he  had 
spared  was  sitting  there  by  the  shore,  pluming  herself  with  her 
beak.  She  knew  him  again  and  asked  why  he  was  hanging  his 
head. 

"  You  will  not  be  surprised  when  you  hear  what  has  befallen 
me,"  replied  the  tailor,  and  told  her  his  fate. 

"  If  that  be  all,"  said  the  duck,  "  we  can  help  you.  The 
crown  fell  into  the  water,  and  lies  at  the  bottom.  We  will  soon 
bring  it  up  again  for  you.  In  the  meantime  just  spread  out 
your  handkerchief  on  the  bank." 

She  dived  down  with  her  twelve  young  ones.  And  in  five 
minutes  she  was  up  again  with  the  crown  resting  on  her  wings. 
The  twelve  young  ones  were  swimming  round  about  and  had 
put  their  beaks  under  it,  and  were  helping  to  carry  it.  They 
all  swam  to  the  shore  and  put  the  crown  on  the  handkerchief. 

No  one  can  imagine  how  magnificent  the  crown  was.  When 
the  sun  shone  on  it,  it  gleamed  like  a  hundred  thousand  car- 
buncles. The  tailor  tied  his  handkerchief  together  by  the  four 
corners,  and  carried  it  to  the  King,  who  was  full  of  joy,  and  put 
a  gold  chain  round  the  tailor's  neck. 

When  the  shoemaker  saw  that  one  stroke  had  failed,  he  con- 

[222] 


THE  TWO  TRAVELERS 

trived  a  second,  and  went  to  the  King  and  said,  "  Lord  King, 
the  tailor  has  become  insolent  again.  He  boasts  that  he  will 
copy  in  wax  the  whole  of  the  royal  palace,  with  everything  that 
pertains  to  it,  loose  or  fast,  inside  and  out." 

The  King  sent  for  the  tailor  and  ordered  him  to  copy  in  wax 
the  whole  of  the  royal  palace,  with  everything  that  pertained 
to  it,  movable  or  immovable,  within  and  without.  And  if  he 
did  not  succeed  in  doing  this,  or  if  so  much  as  one  nail  on  the 
wall  were  wanting,  he  should  be  imprisoned  for  his  whole  life 
under  ground. 

The  tailor  thought,  "  It  gets  worse  and  worse!  ~No  one  can 
endure  that !  "  and  threw  his  bundle  on  his  back,  and  went  forth. 

When  he  came  to  the  hollow  tree,  he  sat  down  and  hung  his 
head.  The  bees  came  flying  out,  and  the  Queen-Bee  asked  him 
if  he  had  a  stiff  neck,  since  he  held  his  head  so  awry. 

"  Alas,  no,"  answered  the  tailor,  "  something  quite  different 
weighs  me  down,"  and  he  told  her  what  the  King  had  demanded 
of  him. 

The  bees  began  to  buzz  and  hum  amongst  themselves,  and  the 
Queen-Bee  said,  "  Just  go  home  again.  But  come  back  to-mor- 
row at  this  time,  and  bring  a  large  sheet  with  you,  and  then  all 
will  be  well." 

So  he  turned  back  again,  but  the  bees  flew  to  the  royal  palace 
and  straight  into  it  through  the  open  windows,  crept  round 
about  into  every  corner,  and  inspected  everything  most  care- 
fully. 

Then  they  hurried  back  and  modeled  the  palace  in  wax  with 
such  rapidity  that  any  one  looking  on  would  have  thought  it 

was  growing  before  his  eyes.    By  the  evening  all  was  ready. 

[223] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

And  when  the  tailor  came  next  morning,  the  whole  of  the 
splendid  building  was  there,  and  not  one  nail  in  the  wall  or  tile 
of  the  roof  was  wanting,  and  it  was  delicate  withal  and  white  as 
snow,  and  smelt  sweet  as  honey. 

The  tailor  wrapped  it  carefully  in  his  cloth  and  took  it  to  the 
King,  who  could  not  admire  it  enough,  placed  it  in  his  largest 
hall,  and  in  return  for  it  presented  the  tailor  with  a  large  stone 
house. 

The  shoemaker,  however,  did  not  give  up,  but  went  for  the 
third  time  to  the  King  and  said,  "  Lord  King,  it  has  come  to  the 
tailor's  ears  that  no  water  will  spring  up  in  the  courtyard  of  the 
castle.  He  has  boasted  that  it  shall  rise  up  in  the  midst  of  the 
courtyard  to  a  man's  height  and  be  clear  as  crystal." 

Then  the  King  ordered  the  tailor  to  be  brought  before  him 
and  said,  "  If  a  stream  of  water  does  not  rise  in  my  courtyard 
by  to-morrow  as  you  have  promised,  the  executioner  shall  in 
that  very  place  make  you  shorter  by  the  head." 

The  poor  tailor  did  not  take  long  to  think  about  it,  but 
hurried  out  to  the  gate,  and  because  this  time  it  was  a  matter 
of  life  and  death  to  him,  tears  rolled  down  his  face. 

Whilst  he  was  thus  going  forth  full  of  sorrow,  the  foal  to 
which  he  had  formerly  given  its  liberty,  and  which  had  now 
become  a  beautiful  chestnut  horse,  came  leaping  toward  him. 

"  The  time  has  come,"  it  said  to  the  tailor,  "  when  I  can  re- 
pay you  for  your  good  deed.  I  know  already  what  is  needful 
to  you,  but  you  shall  soon  have  help.  Get  on  me,  my  back  can 
carry  two  such  as  you." 

The  tailor's  courage  came  back  to  him.    He  jumped  up  in 

one  bound;  and  the  horse  went  full  speed  into  the  town,  and 

[224] 


THE  TWO  TRAVELERS 

right  up  to  the  courtyard  of  the  castle.  It  galloped  as  quick  as 
lightning  thrice  round  it,  and  at  the  third  time  it  fell  violently 
down.  At  the  same  instant  there  was  a  terrific  clap  of  thunder, 
a  fragment  of  earth  in  the  middle  of  the  courtyard  sprang  like 
a  cannon  ball  into  the  air,  and  over  the  castle.  Directly  after 
it,  a  jet  of  water  rose  as  high  as  a  man  on  horseback,  and  the 
water  was  as  pure  as  crystal,  and  the  sunbeams  began  to  dance 
on  it. 

When  the  King  saw  that  he  arose  in  amazement,  and  went 
and  embraced  the  tailor  in  the  sight  of  all  men. 

But  good  fortune  did  not  last  long.  The  King  had  daugh- 
ters in  plenty,  each  one  prettier  than  the  other,  but  he  had  no 
son. 

So  the  malicious  shoemaker  betook  himself  for  the  fourth 
time  to  the  King,  and  said,  "  Lord  King,  the  tailor  has  not 
given  up  his  arrogance.  He  has  now  boasted  that  if  he  liked, 
he  could  cause  a  son  to  be  brought  to  the  Lord  King  through 
the  air." 

The  King  commanded  the  tailor  to  be  summoned,  and  said, 
"  If  you  cause  a  son  to  be  brought  to  me  within  nine  days,  you 
shall  have  my  eldest  daughter  to  wife." 

"  The  reward  is  indeed  great,"  thought  the  little  tailor. 
"  One  would  willingly  do  something  for  it,  but  the  cherries 
grow  too  high  for  me.  If  I  climb  for  them,  the  bough  will 
break  beneath  me,  and  I  shall  fall." 

He  went  home,  seated  himself  cross-legged  on  his  work- 
table,  and  thought  over  what  was  to  be  done. 

"  It  can't  be  managed,"  cried  he  at  last.    "  I  will  go  away. 

After  all  I  can't  live  in  peace  here." 

[  225  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

He  tied  up  his  bundle  and  hurried  away  to  the  gate.  When 
he  got  to  the  meadow,  he  perceived  his  old  friend  the  stork,  who 
was  walking  backward  and  forward  like  a  philosopher.  Some- 
times he  stood  still,  took  a  frog  into  close  consideration,  and  at 
length  swallowed  it  down. 

The  stork  came  to  him  and  greeted  him.  "  I  see,"  he  began, 
"  that  you  have  your  pack  on  your  back.  Why  are  you  leaving 
the  town? " 

The  tailor  told  him  what  the  King  had  required  of  him,  and 
how  he  could  not  perform  it,  and  lamented  his  misfortune. 

"  Don't  let  your  hair  grow  gray  about  that,"  said  the  stork. 
"  I  will  help  you  out  of  your  difficulty.  For  a  long  time  past, 
I  have  carried  the  children  in  swaddling-clothes  into  the  town. 
So  for  once,  I  can  fetch  a  little  Prince  out  of  the  well.  Go 
home  and  be  easy.  In  nine  days  from  this  time  repair  to  the 
royal  palace,  and  there  will  I  come." 

The  little  tailor  went  home,  and  at  the  appointed  time  was 
at  the  castle.  It  was  not  long  before  the  stork  came  flying 
thither  and  tapped  at  the  window.  The  tailor  opened  it,  and 
Cousin  Longlegs  came  carefully  in,  and  walked  with  solemn 
steps  over  the  smooth  marble  pavement. 

He  had  a  baby  in  his  beak  that  was  as  lovely  as  an  angel,  and 
stretched  out  its  little  hands  to  the  Queen.  The  stork  laid  it  in 
her  lap,  and  she  caressed  it  and  kissed  it,  and  was  beside  herself 
with  delight. 

Before  the  stork  flew  away  he  took  his  traveling  bag  off  his 
back  and  handed  it  over  to  the  Queen.  In  it  there  were  little 
paper  parcels  full  of  colored  sweetmeats,  and  they  were  divided 

amongst  the  little  Princesses. 

[226] 


■  lit   I 


THE    ELDEST  GOT    THE   MERRY  TAILOR  FOR   A  HUSBAND 


THE  TWO  TRAVELERS 

The  eldest,  however,  had  none  of  them,  but  got  the  merry 
tailor  for  a  husband. 

"  It  seems  to  me,"  said  he,  "  just  as  if  I  had  won  the  highest 
prize.  My  mother  was  right  after  all ;  she  always  said  that  who- 
ever trusts  in  God  and  his  own  fortune  can  never  fail." 

The  shoemaker  had  to  make  the  shoes  in  which  the  little  tailor 
danced  at  the  wedding  festival.  After  which  he  was  com- 
manded to  quit  the  town  for  ever. 

The  road  to  the  forest  led  him  to  the  gallows.  Worn  out 
with  anger,  rage,  and  the  heat  of  the  day,  he  threw  himself 
down.  When  he  had  closed  his  eyes  and  was  about  to  sleep, 
the  two  crows  flew  down  from  the  heads  of  the  men  who  were 
hanging  there,  and  pecked  his  eyes  out. 

In  his  madness  he  ran  into  the  forest  and  must  have  died 
there  of  hunger,  for  no  one  has  ever  either  seen  him  again  or 
heard  of  him. 


[227] 


JORINDA  AND  JORINGEL 


THERE  was  once  an  old  castle  in  the  midst  of  a  large 
and  thick  forest,  and  in  it  an  old  woman,  who  was  a 
Witch,  dwelt  all  alone. 

In  the  daytime,  she  changed  herself  into  a  cat  or  a  screech- 
owl,  but  in  the  evening  she  took  her  proper  shape  again  as  a 
human  being.  She  could  lure  wild  beasts  and  birds  to  her, 
then  she  killed  and  boiled  and  roasted  them. 

If  any  one  came  within  one  hundred  paces  of  the  castle  he 
was  obliged  to  stand  still,  and  could  not  stir  from  the  place 
until  she  bade  him  be  free.  But  whenever  an  innocent  maiden 
came  within  this  circle,  she  changed  her  into  a  bird,  shut  her 
up  in  a  wicker-work  cage,  and  carried  the  cage  into  a  room  in 
the  castle.  She  had  about  seven  thousand  cages  of  rare  birds 
in  the  castle. 

Now,  there  was  once  a  maiden  who  was  called  Jorinda,  who 

was  fairer  than  all  other  girls.     She  and  a  handsome  youth 

named  Joringel  had  promised  to  marry  each  other,  and  their 

greatest  happiness  was  being  together. 

[  228  ] 


JORINDA  AND  JORINGEL 

One  clay,  in  order  that  they  might  be  able  to  talk  together 
in  quiet,  they  went  for  a  walk  in  the  forest. 

"  Take  care,"  said  Joringel,  "  that  you  do  not  go  too  near 
the  castle." 

It  was  a  beautiful  evening.  The  sun  shone  brightly  between 
the  trunks  of  the  trees  into  the  dark  green  of  the  forest,  and  the 
turtledoves  sang  mournfully  upon  the  young  boughs  of  the 
birch-trees. 

Jorinda  wept  now  and  then.  She  sat  down  in  the  sunshine 
and  was  sorrowful.  Joringel  was  sorrowful  too.  They  were 
as  sad  as  if  they  were  about  to  die.  Then  they  looked  around 
them,  and  were  quite  at  a  loss,  for  they  did  not  know  by  which 
way  to  go  home.  The  sun  was  half  above  the  mountain  and 
half  set. 

Joringel  looked  through  the  bushes,  and  saw  the  old  walls 
of  the  castle  close  at  hand.  He  was  horror-stricken  and  filled 
with  deadly  fear. 

Jorinda  was  singing: 

"My  little  Bird,  with  the  necklace  red, 
Sings  sorrow,  sorrow,  sorrow, 
He  sings  that  the  Dove  must  soon  be  dead, 
Sings  sorrow,  sor jug,  jug,  jug!" 

Joringel  looked  for  Jorinda.  She  was  changed  into  a  Night- 
ingale, and  sang  "  jug,  jug,  jug!  " 

A  screech-owl  with  glowing  eyes  flew  three  times  round 
about  her,  and  three  times  cried,  "  to-whoo,  to-whop,  to-whoo! ' 

Joringel  could  not  move.    He  stood  there  like  a  stone,  and 

could  neither  weep  nor  speak,  nor  move  hand  or  foot. 

[  229  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

The  sun  had  now  set.  The  owl  flew  into  the  thicket.  Di- 
rectly afterward  there  came  out  of  it  a  crooked  Old  Woman, 
yellow  and  lean,  with  large  red  eyes  and  a  hooked  nose,  the 
point  of  which  reached  to  her  chin.  She  muttered  to  herself, 
caught  the  Nightingale,  and  took  it  away  in  her  hand. 

Joringel  could  neither  speak  nor  move  from  the  spot.  The 
Nightingale  was  gone. 

At  last  the  woman  came  back,  and  said  in  a  hollow  voice, 
"  Greet  thee,  Zachiel.  If  the  moon  shines  on  the  cage,  Zachiel, 
let  him  loose  at  once." 

Then  Joringel  was  freed.  He  fell  on  his  knees  before  the 
woman  and  begged  that  she  would  give  him  back  his  Jorinda. 
But  she  said  that  he  should  never  have  her  again,  and  went 
away.  He  called,  he  wept.  He  lamented,  but  all  in  vain, 
"  Ah,  what  is  to  become  of  me?  " 

Joringel  went  away,  and  at  last  came  to  a  strange  village. 
There  he  kept  sheep  for  a  long  time.  He  often  walked  round 
and  round  the  castle,  but  not  too  near  to  it.  One  night  he 
dreamt  that  he  found  a  Blood-Red  Flower,  in  the  middle  of 
which  was  a  beautiful  large  pearl ;  that  he  picked  the  flower  and 
went  with  it  to  the  castle,  and  that  everything  he  touched  with 
the  flower  was  freed  from  enchantment.  He  also  dreamt  that 
by  means  of  it,  he  recovered  his  Jorinda. 

In  the  morning,  when  he  awoke,  he  began  to  seek  over  hill 

and  dale  to  find  such  a  flower.     He  sought  until  the  ninth 

day,  and  then,  early  in  the  morning,  he  found  the  Blood-Red 

Flower.    In  the  middle  of  it,  there  was  a  large  dew-drop,  as  big 

as  the  finest  pearl. 

Day  and  night,  he  journeyed  with  this  flower  to  the  castle. 

[  230  ] 


JORINDA  AND  JORINGEL 

When  he  was  within  a  hundred  paces  of  it  he  was  not  held 
fast,  but  walked  on  to  the  door. 

Joringel  was  full  of  joy.  He  touched  the  door  with  the 
flower,  and  it  sprang  open.  He  walked  in  through  the  court- 
yard, and  listened  for  the  sound  of  the  birds.  At  last  he  heard 
it.  He  went  on,  and  found  the  room  from  whence  it  came. 
There  the  Witch  was  feeding  the  birds  in  the  seven  thousand 


cages. 


When  she  saw  Joringel,  she  was  angry,  very  angry,  and 
scolded  and  spat  poison  and  gall,  but  she  could  not  come  within 
two  paces  of  him.  He  did  not  take  any  notice  of  her,  but  went 
and  looked  at  the  cages  with  the  birds.  But  there  were  many 
hundred  Nightingales,  how  was  he  to  find  his  Jorinda  again? 

Just  then  he  saw  the  Old  Woman  quietly  take  away  a  cage 
with  a  bird  in  it,  and  go  toward  the  door. 

Swiftly  he  sprang  toward  her,  touched  the  cage  with  the 
flower,  and  also  the  Old  Woman. 

She  could  now  no  longer  bewitch  any  one.  And  Jorinda  was 
standing  there,  clasping  him  round  the  neck,  and  she  was  as 
beautiful  as  ever ! 


[  231  ] 


HOW  SIX  MEN  GOT  ON  IN  THE  WORLD 

THERE  was  once  a  man  who  understood  all  kinds  of 
arts.  He  served  in  war,  and  behaved  well  and  bravely, 
but  when  the  war  was  over  he  received  his  dismissal, 
and  three  farthings  for  his  expenses  on  the  way.  "  Stop,"  said 
he,  "  I  shall  not  be  content  with  this.  If  I  can  but  meet  with 
the  right  people,  the  King  will  have  to  give  me  all  the  treasure 
of  the  country." 

Then  full  of  anger  he  went  into  the  forest,  and  saw  a  man 
standing  therein  who  had  plucked  up  six  trees  as  if  they  were 
blades  of  corn.  He  said  to  him,  "  Will  you  be  my  servant  and 
go  with  me? " 

"  Yes,"  he  answered,  "  but,  first,  I  will  take  this  little  bundle 
of  sticks  home  to  my  mother,"  and  he  took  one  of  the  trees,  and 
wrapped  it  round  the  five  others,  lifted  the  bundle  on  his  back 
and  carried  it  away. 

Then  he  returned  and  went  with  his  master,  who  said,  "  We 
two  ought  to  be  able  to  get  through  the  world  very  well." 

When  they  had  walked  on  for  a  short  while  they  found  a 

huntsman  who  was  kneeling,  had  shouldered  his  gun,  and  was 

[232] 


HOW  SIX  MEN  GOT  ON  IN  THE  WORLD 

about  to  fire.  The  master  said  to  him,  "  Huntsman,  what  are 
you  going  to  shoot?  " 

He  answered,  "  Two  miles  from  here  a  fly  is  sitting  on  the 
branch  of  an  oak-tree,  and  I  want  to  shoot  its  left  eye  out." 

"  Oh,  come  with  me,"  said  the  man,  "  if  we  three  are  to- 
gether, we  certainly  ought  to  be  able  to  get  on  in  the  world !  " 

The  huntsman  was  ready,  and  went  with  him. 

They  came  to  seven  windmills  whose  sails  were  turning 
round  with  great  speed,  and  yet  no  wind  was  blowing  either 
on  the  right  or  the  left,  and  no  leaf  was  stirring.  Then  said  the 
man,  "  I  know  not  what  is  driving  the  windmills,  not  a  breath 
of  air  is  stirring,"  and  he  went  onward  with  his  servants,  and 
when  they  had  walked  two  miles  they  saw  a  man  sitting  on  a 
tree,  who  was  shutting  one  nostril,  and  blowing  out  of  the  other. 
"  Good  gracious!  what  are  you  doing  up  there? " 

He  answered,  "  Two  miles  from  here  are  seven  windmills. 
Look,  I  am  blowing  them  till  they  turn  round." 

"  Oh,  come  with  me,"  said  the  man.  "  If  we  four  are  to- 
gether, we  shall  carry  the  whole  world  before  us !  " 

Then  the  blower  came  down  and  went  with  him. 

After  a  while  they  saw  a  man  who  was  standing  on  one  leg 
and  had  taken  off  the  other,  and  laid  it  beside  him.  Then  the 
master  said,  "  You  have  arranged  things  very  comfortably  to 
have  a  rest." 

"lama  runner,"  he  replied,  "  and  to  stop  myself  running 
far  too  fast,  I  have  taken  off  one  of  my  legs,  for  if  I  run  with 
both,  I  go  quicker  than  any  bird  can  fly." 

"  Oh,  come  with  me.    If  we  five  are  together,  we  shall  carry 

the  whole  world  before  us." 

[233] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

So  he  went  with  them. 

It  was  not  long  before  they  met  a  man  who  wore  a  cap,  but 
had  put  it  quite  on  one  ear.  Then  the  master  said  to  him, 
"  Gracefully!  gracefully!  don't  stick  your  cap  on  one  ear,  you 
look  just  like  a  tom-fool!  " 

"  I  must  not  wear  it  otherwise,"  said  he,  "  for  if  I  set  my 
hat  straight,  a  terrible  frost  comes  on,  and  all  the  birds  in  the 
air  are  frozen,  and  drop  dead  on  the  ground." 

"  Oh,  come  with  me,"  said  the  master.  "  If  we  six  are  to- 
gether, we  can  carry  the  whole  world  before  us." 

Now  the  six  came  to  a  town  where  the  King  had  proclaimed 
that  whosoever  ran  a  race  with  his  daughter  and  won  the  vic- 
tory, should  be  her  husband,  but  whosoever  lost  it,  must  lose  his 
head. 

Then  the  man  presented  himself  and  said,  "  I  will,  however, 
let  my  servant  run  for  me." 

The  King  replied,  "  Then  his  life  also  must  be  staked,  so 
that  his  head  and  thine  are  both  set  on  the  victory." 

When  that  was  settled  and  made  secure,  the  man  buckled  the 
other  leg  on  the  runner,  and  said  to  him,  "  Now  be  nimble,  and 
help  us  to  win." 

It  was  fixed  that  the  one  who  was  the  first  to  bring  some 
water  from  a  far  distant  well,  was  to  be  the  victor.  The  run- 
ner received  a  pitcher,  and  the  King's  Daughter  one  too,  and 
they  began  to  run  at  the  same  time.  But  in  an  instant,  when 
the  King's  Daughter  had  got  a  very  little  way,  the  people  who 
were  looking  on  could  see  no  more  of  the  runner,  it  was  just 
as  if  the  wind  had  whistled  by. 

In  a  short  time  he  reached  the  well,  filled  his  pitcher  with 

[234] 


HOW  SIX  MEN  GOT  ON  IN  THE  WORLD 

water,  and  turned  back.  Half-way  home,  however,  he  was 
overcome  with  fatigue,  and  set  his  pitcher  down,  lay  down  him- 
self, and  fell  asleep.  He  had,  however,  made  a  pillow  of  a 
horse's  skull  which  was  lying  on  the  ground,  in  order  that  he 
might  lie  uncomfortably,  and  soon  wake  up  again. 

In  the  meantime,  the  King's  Daughter,  who  could  also  run 
very  well— quite  as  well  as  any  ordinary  mortal  can — had 
reached  the  well,  and  was  hurrying  back  with  her  pitcher  full  of 
water,  and  when  she  saw  the  runner  lying  there  asleep,  she  was 
glad  and  said,  "  My  enemy  is  delivered  over  into  my  hands," 
emptied  his  pitcher,  and  ran  on. 

And  now  all  would  have  been  lost  if  by  good  luck  the  hunts- 
man had  not  been  standing  at  the  top  of  the  castle,  and  had 
not  seen  everything  with  his  sharp  eyes.  Then  said  he,  "  The 
King's  Daughter  shall  still  not  prevail  against  us." 

He  loaded  his  gun,  and  shot  so  cleverly,  that  he  shot  the 
horse's  skull  away  from  under  the  runner's  head  without  hurt- 
ing him.  Then  the  runner  awoke,  leapt  up,  and  saw  that  his 
pitcher  was  empty,  and  that  the  King's  Daughter  was  already 
far  in  advance.  He  did  not  lose  heart,  however,  but  ran  back 
to  the  well  with  his  pitcher,  again  drew  some  water,  and  was 
still  at  home  again,  ten  minutes  before  the  King's  Daughter. 
"  Behold! "  said  he,  "  I  have  not  bestirred  myself  till  now.  It 
did  not  deserve  to  be  called  running  before." 

But  it  pained  the  King,  and  still  more  his  daughter,  that  she 

should  be  carried  off  by  a  common  disbanded  soldier  like  that. 

So  they  took  counsel  with  each  other  how  to  get  rid  of  him  and 

his  companions. 

Then  said  the  King  to  her,  "  I  have  thought  of  a  way.    Don't 

[  235  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

be  afraid,  they  shall  not  come  back  again."  And  he  said  to 
them,  "  You  shall  now  make  merry  together,  and  eat  and 
drink." 

He  conducted  them  to  a  room  which  had  a  floor  of  iron,  and 
the  doors  also  were  of  iron,  and  the  windows  were  guarded 
with  iron  bars.  There  was  a  table  in  the  room  covered  with 
delicious  food,  and  the  King  said  to  them,  "  Go  in,  and  enjoy 
yourselves." 

And  when  they  were  inside,  he  ordered  the  doors  to  be  shut 
and  bolted.  Then  he  sent  for  the  cook,  and  commanded  him 
to  make  a  fire  under  the  room  until  the  iron  became  red-hot. 
This  the  cook  did,  and  the  six  who  were  sitting  at  table  began 
to  feel  quite  warm,  and  they  thought  the  heat  was  caused  by 
the  food.  But  as  it  became  still  greater,  and  they  wanted  to 
get  out,  and  found  that  the  doors  and  windows  were  bolted, 
they  became  aware  that  the  King  had  an  evil  intention,  and 
wanted  to  suffocate  them. 

"  He  shall  not  succeed,  however,"  said  the  one  with  the  cap. 
"  I  will  cause  a  frost  to  come,  before  which  the  fire  shall  be 
ashamed,  and  creep  away." 

Then  he  put  his  cap  on  straight,  and  immediately  there  came 
such  a  frost  that  all  heat  disappeared,  and  the  food  on  the 
dishes  began  to  freeze. 

When  an  hour  or  two  had  passed  by,  and  the  King  believed 

that  they  had  perished  in  the  heat,  he  had  the  doors  opened  to 

behold  them  himself.    But  when  the  doors  were  opened,  all  six 

were  standing  there,  alive  and  well,  and  said  that  they  should 

very  much  like  to  get  out  to  warm  themselves,  for  the  very 

food  was  fast  frozen  to  the  dishes  with  the  cold. 

[236] 


HOW  SIX  MEN  GOT  ON  IN  THE  WORLD 

Then,  full  of  anger,  the  King  went  down  to  the  cook,  scolded 
him,  and  asked  why  he  had  not  done  what  he  had  been  ordered 
to  do.  But  the  cook  replied,  "  There  is  heat  enough  there,  just 
look  yourself."  Then  the  King  saw  that  a  fierce  fire  was  burn- 
ing under  the  iron  room,  and  perceived  that  there  was  no  get- 
ting the  better  of  the  six  in  this  way. 

Again  the  King  considered  how  to  get  rid  of  his  unpleasant 
guests,  and  caused  their  chief  to  be  brought  and  said,  "  If  you 
will  take  gold  and  renounce  my  daughter,  you  shall  have  as 
much  as  you  wish." 

"  Oh,  yes,  Lord  King,"  he  answered,  "  give  me  as  much  as 
my  servant  can  carry,  and  I  will  not  ask  for  your  daughter." 

On  this  the  King  was  satisfied,  and  the  other  continued,  "  In 
fourteen  days,  I  will  come  and  fetch  it." 

Thereupon  he  summoned  together  all  the  tailors  in  the  whole 
kingdom,  and  they  were  to  sit  for  fourteen  days  and  sew  a 
sack.  And  when  it  was  ready,  the  strong  one  who  could 
tear  up  trees  had  to  take  it  on  his  back,  and  go  with  it  to  the 
King. 

Then  said  the  King,  "  Who  can  that  strong  fellow  be  who  is 
carrying  a  bundle  of  linen  on  his  back  that  is  as  big  as  a 
house?"  and  he  was  alarmed  and  said,  "  What  a  lot  of  gold 
he  can  carry  away !  " 

Then  he  commanded  a  ton  of  gold  to  be  brought.    It  took 

sixteen  of  his  strongest  men  to  carry  it,  but  the  strong  one 

snatched  it  up  in  one  hand,  put  it  in  his  sack,  and  said,  "  Why 

don't  you  bring  more  at  the  same  time? — that  hardly  covers 

the  bottom!" 

Then,  little  by  little,  the  King  caused  all  his  treasure  to  be 

[  237  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

brought  thither,  and  the  strong  one  pushed  it  into  the  sack,  and 
still  the  sack  was  not  half  full  with  it.  "  Bring  more,"  cried  he, 
"  these  few  crumbs  don't  fill  it." 

Then  seven  thousand  carts  with  gold  had  to  be  gathered  to- 
gether in  the  whole  kingdom,  and  the  strong  one  thrust  them 
and  the  oxen  harnessed  to  them  into  his  sack.  "  I  will  examine 
it  no  longer,"  said  he,  "  but  will  just  take  what  comes,  so  long 
as  the  sack  is  but  full." 

When  all  that  was  inside,  there  was  still  room  for  a  great 
deal  more.  Then  he  said,  "  I  will  just  make  an  end  of  the 
thing.  People  do  sometimes  tie  up  a  sack  even  when  it  is  not 
full."  So  he  took  it  on  his  back,  and  went  away  with  his  com- 
rades. 

When  the  King  now  saw  how  one  single  man  was  carrying 
away  the  entire  wealth  of  the  country,  he  became  enraged,  and 
bade  his  horsemen  mount  and  pursue  the  six,  and  ordered  them 
to  take  the  sack  away  from  the  strong  one.  Two  regiments 
speedily  overtook  the  six,  and  called  out,  "  You  are  prisoners. 
Put  down  the  sack  with  the  gold,  or  you  will  all  be  cut  to 
pieces ! " 

"  What  say  you?  "  cried  the  blower,  "  that  we  are  prisoners! 
Rather  than  that  should  happen,  all  of  you  shall  dance  about 
in  the  air."  And  he  closed  one  nostril,  and  with  the  other  blew 
on  the  two  regiments.  Then  they  were  driven  away  from  each 
other,  and  carried  into  the  blue  sky  over  all  the  mountains — 
one  here,  the  other  there. 

One  sergeant  cried  for  mercy.    He  had  nine  wounds,  and 

was  a  brave  fellow  who  did  not  deserve  ill-treatment.     The 

blower  stopped  a  little  so  that  he  came  down  without  injury, 

[  238  ] 


HOW  SIX  MEN  GOT  ON  IN  THE  WORLD 

and  then  the  blower  said  to  him,  "  Now  go  home  to  your  King, 
and  tell  him  he  had  better  send  some  more  horsemen,  and  I 
will  blow  them  all  into  the  air." 

When  the  King  was  informed  of  this  he  said,  "  Let  the 
rascals  go.    They  have  the  best  of  it." 

Then  the  six  conveyed  the  riches  home,  divided  it  amongst 
them,  and  lived  in  content  until  their  death. 


[239] 


THE  GOOSE-GIRL 


THERE  was  once  upon  a  time,  an  old  Queen,  whose 
husband  had  been  dead  for  many  years,  and  she  had 
a  beautiful  daughter. 

When  the  Princess  grew  up,  she  was  betrothed  to  a  Prince 
who  lived  very  far  away.  When  the  time  came  for  her  to  be 
married,  and  she  had  to  journey  forth  into  the  distant  king- 
dom, the  aged  Queen  packed  up  for  her  many  costly  vessels  of 
silver  and  gold,  and  trinkets,  also  of  gold  and  silver,  and  cups 
and  jewels,  in  short,  everything  which  appertained  to  a  royal 
dowry,  for  she  loved  her  child  with  all  her  heart. 

She  likewise  sent  her  maid-in-waiting,  who  was  to  ride  with 
her,  and  hand  her  over  to  the  Bridegroom.  Each  had  a  horse 
for  the  journey,  but  the  horse  of  the  King's  Daughter  was 
called  Falada,  and  could  speak. 

So  when  the  hour  of  parting  had  come,  the  aged  mother 

went  into  her  bedroom,  took  a  small  knife  and  cut  her  finger 

with  it  until  it  bled.    Then  she  held  a  white  handkerchief  to  it, 

into  which  she  let  three  drops  of  blood  fall. 

She  gave  the  handkerchief  to  her  daughter  and  said,  "  Dear 

[240] 


THE  GOOSE-GIRL 

Child,  preserve  this  carefully.  It  will  be  of  service  to  you  on 
your  way." 

So  they  took  a  sorrowful  leave  of  each  other.  The  Princess 
put  the  piece  of  cloth  in  her  bosom,  mounted  her  horse,  and 
then  went  away  to  her  Bridegroom. 

After  she  had  ridden  for  a  while  she  felt  a  burning  thirst, 
and  said  to  her  waiting-maid,  "  Dismount,  and  take  my  cup 
which  you  have  brought  with  you,  and  get  me  some  water  from 
the  stream,  for  I  should  like  to  drink." 

"  If  you  are  thirsty,"  said  the  waiting-maid,  "  get  off  your 
horse  yourself,  and  lie  down  and  drink  out  of  the  water.  I 
don't  choose  to  be  your  servant." 

So  in  her  great  thirst  the  Princess  alighted,  bent  down  over 
the  water  in  the  stream  and  drank,  and  was  not  allowed  to 
drink  out  of  the  golden  cup.  Then  she  said,  "  Ah,  Heaven!  " 
and  the  three  drops  of  blood  answered : 

"If  thy  Mother  only  knew, 
'T  would  surely  break  her  heart  in  two!'* 

But  the  King's  Daughter  was  humble,  said  nothing,  and 
mounted  her  horse  again. 

She  rode  some  miles  further,  but  the  day  was  warm,  the  sun 
scorched  her,  and  she  was  thirsty  once  more.  When  they  came 
to  a  stream  of  water,  she  again  cried  to  her  waiting-maid,  "  Dis- 
mount, and  give  me  some  water  in  my  golden  cup,"  for  she 
had  long  ago  forgotten  the  girl's  ill  words. 

But  the  waiting-maid  said  still  more  haughtily,  "  If  you  wish 

to  drink,  drink  as  you  can,  I  don't  choose  to  be  your  maid." 

Then  in  her  great  thirst  the  King's  Daughter  alighted,  bent 

[241] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

over  the  flowing  stream,  wept  and  said,  "  Ah,  Heaven! "  and 
the  drops  of  blood  again  replied : 

"If  thy  Mother  only  knew, 
'T  would  surely  break  her  heart  in  two!" 

And  as  she  was  thus  drinking  and  leaning  right  over  the 
stream,  the  handkerchief  with  the  three  drops  of  blood  fell  out 
of  her  bosom,  and  floated  away  with  the  water  without  her 
observing  it,  so  great  was  her  trouble.  The  waiting-maid,  how- 
ever, had  seen  it,  and  she  rejoiced  to  think  that  she  had  now 
power  over  the  Bride,  for  since  the  Princess  had  lost  the  drops 
of  blood,  she  had  become  weak  and  powerless. 

So  now,  when  she  wanted  to  mount  her  horse  again,  the  one 
that  was  called  Falada,  the  waiting-maid  said,  "  Falada  is  more 
suitable  for  me,  and  my  nag  will  do  for  you,"  and  the  Princess 
had  to  be  content  with  that. 

Then  the  waiting-maid,  with  many  hard  words,  bade  the 
Princess  exchange  her  royal  apparel  for  her  own  shabby 
clothes ;  and  at  length  she  was  compelled  to  swear  by  the  clear 
sky  above  her,  that  she  would  not  say  one  word  of  this  to  any 
one  at  the  Royal  Court.  And  if  she  had  not  taken  this  oath 
she  would  have  been  killed  on  the  spot.  But  Falada  saw  all 
this,  and  observed  it  well. 

The  waiting-maid  now  mounted  Falada,  and  the  true  Bride 
the  bad  horse,  and  thus  they  traveled  onward,  until  they  en- 
tered the  royal  palace.  There  were  great  rejoicings  over  her 
arrival,  and  the  Prince  sprang  forward  to  meet  her,  lifted  the 
waiting-maid  from  her  horse,  and  thought  she  was  his  Bride. 
She  was  conducted  up-stairs,  but  the  real  Princess  was  left 


standing  below. 


[242  J 


THE  GOOSE-GIRL 

Then  the  old  King  looked  out  of  the  window  and  saw  her 
standing  in  the  courtyard,  and  how  dainty  and  delicate  and 
beautiful  she  was.  He  instantly  went  to  the  royal  apartment, 
and  asked  the  Bride  about  the  girl  she  had  with  her,  who  was 
standing  down  below  in  the  courtyard,  and  who  she  was. 

"  I  picked  her  up  on  my  way  for  a  companion.  Give  the 
girl  something  to  work  at,  that  she  may  not  stand  idle." 

But  the  old  King  had  no  work  for  her,  and  knew  of  none,  so 
he  said,  "  I  have  a  little  boy  who  tends  the  geese,  she  may  help 
him." 

The  boy  was  called  Conrad,  and  the  true  Bride  had  to  help 
him  to  tend  the  geese. 

Soon  afterward  the  false  Bride  said  to  the  young  King, 
"  Dearest  Husband,  I  beg  you  to  do  me  a  favor." 

He  answered,  "  I  will  do  so  most  willingly." 

"  Then  send  for  the  butcher,  and  have  the  head  of  the  horse 
on  which  I  rode  here,  cut  off,  for  it  vexed  me  on  the  way."  In 
reality,  she  was  afraid  that  the  horse  might  tell  how  she  had 
behaved  to  the  King's  Daughter. 

Then  she  succeeded  in  making  the  King  promise  that  it 

should  be  done,  and  the  faithful  Falada  was  to  die.    This  came 

to  the  ears  of  the  real  Princess,  and  she  secretly  promised  the 

butcher  a  piece  of  gold  if  he  would  perform  a  small  service  for 

her.     There  was  a  great  dark-looking  gateway  in  the  town, 

through  which,  morning  and  evening,  she  had  to  pass  with  the 

geese:  would  he  be  so  good  as  to  nail  up  Falacla's  head  on  it, 

so  that  she  might  see  him  again?    The  butcher  promised  to  do 

that,  and  cut  off  the  head,  and  nailed  it  fast  beneath  the  dark 

gateway. 

[  243  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Early  in  the  morning,  when  she  and  Conrad  drove  out  their 
flock  beneath  this  gateway,  she  said  in  passing: 

"Alas,  Falada,  hanging  there!" 
Then  the  head  answered: 

"Alas!  young  Queen,  how  til  you  fare! 
If  this  your  tender  Mother  knew, 
Her  heart  would  surely  break  in  two!" 

Then  they  went  still  farther  out  of  the  town,  and  drove  their 
geese  into  the  country.  And  when  they  had  come  to  the 
meadow,  she  sat  down  and  unbound  her  hair  which  was  like 
pure  gold.  Conrad  saw  it  and  delighted  in  its  brightness,  and 
wanted  to  pluck  out  a  few  hairs.    Then  she  said: 

"Blow,  blow,  thou  gentle  Wind,  I  say, 
Blow  Conrad's  little  hat  away, 
And  make  him  chase  it  here  and  there, 
Until  I've  braided  all  my  hair, 
And  bound  it  up  again." 

And  there  came  such  a  violent  wind  that  it  blew  Conrad's  hat 
far  away  across  country,  and  he  was  forced  to  run  after  it. 

When  he  came  back  she  had  finished  combing  her  hair  and 
was  putting  it  up  again,  and  he  could  not  get  any  of  it.  Then 
Conrad  was  angry,  and  would  not  speak  to  her.  And  thus  they 
watched  the  geese  until  the  evening,  and  then  they  went  home. 

Next  day  when  they  were  driving  the  geese  out  through  the 
dark  gateway,  the  maiden  said : 

"Alas,  Falada,  hanging  there!" 
Falada  answered: 

"Alas!  young  Queen,  how  ill  you  fare! 
If  this  your  tender  Mother  knew, 
Her  heart  would  surely  break  in  two!" 
[244] 


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THE  HEAD  ANSWERED,     'ALAS!  YOUNG  QUEEN  HOW  ILL  YOU  FARE" 


THE  GOOSE-GIRL 

And  she  sat  down  again  in  the  field  and  began  to  comb  out  her 
hair.    Conrad  ran  and  tried  to  clutch  it,  so  she  said  in  haste : 

"Blow,  blow,  thou  gentle  Wind,  I  say, 
Blow  Conrad's  little  hat  away, 
And  make  him  chase  it  here  and  there, 
Until  I've  braided  all  my  hair, 
And  bound  it  up  again." 

Then  the  wind  blew,  and  blew  his  little  hat  off  his  head  and 
far  away,  and  Conrad  was  forced  to  run  after  it.  When  he 
came  back,  her  hair  had  been  put  up  a  long  time,  and  he  could 
get  none  of  it.  So  they  looked  after  their  geese  till  evening 
came. 

But  in  the  evening,  after  they  had  got  home,  Conrad  went 
to  the  old  King,  and  said,  "  I  won't  tend  the  geese  with  that 
girl  any  longer! " 

"  Why  not?  "  inquired  the  old  King. 

"  Oh,  because  she  vexes  me  the  whole  day  long." 

Then  the  old  King  commanded  him  to  relate  what  it  was  that 
she  did  to  him. 

And  Conrad  said,  "  In  the  morning,  when  we  pass  beneath 
the  dark  gateway  with  the  flock,  there  is  a  sorry  horse's  head 
on  the  wall,  and  she  says  to  it : 

"  'Alas,  Falada,  hanging  there!  ' 

And  the  head  replies : 

"  'Alas!  young  Queen,  how  ill  you  fare! 
If  this  your  tender  Mother  knew, 
Her  heart  would  surely  break  in  two!'  " 

And  Conrad  went  on  to  relate  what  happened  on  the  goose- 
pasture,  and  how  when  there  he  had  to  chase  his  hat. 

[245] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

The  old  King  commanded  him  to  drive  his  flock  out  again 
next  day,  and  as  soon  as  morning  came,  he  placed  himself  be- 
hind the  dark  gateway,  and  heard  how  the  maiden  spoke  to  the 
head  of  Falada.  Then  he  went  into  the  country,  and  hid  him- 
self in  the  thicket  in  the  meadow.  There  he  soon  saw  with  his 
own  eyes,  the  goose-girl  and  the  goose-boy  bringing  their  flock, 
and  how  after  a  while  she  sat  down  and  unplaited  her  hair, 
which  shone  with  radiance.    And  soon  she  said: 

"Blow,  blow,  thou  gentle  Wind,  I  say, 
Blow  Conrad's  little  hat  away, 
And  make  him  chase  it  here  and  there, 
Until  I've  braided  all  my  hair, 
And  bound  it  up  again." 

Then  came  a  blast  of  wind  and  carried  off  Conrad's  hat,  so  that 
he  had  to  run  far  away,  while  the  maiden  quietly  went  on  comb- 
ing and  plaiting  her  hair.    All  of  which  the  King  observed. 

Then,  quite  unseen,  he  went  away,  and  when  the  goose-girl 
came  home  in  the  evening,  he  called  her  aside,  and  asked  why 
she  did  all  these  things. 

"  I  may  not  tell  you  that,  and  I  dare  not  lament  my  sorrows 
to  any  human  being,  for  I  have  sworn  not  to  do  so  by  the 
heaven  which  is  above  me.  If  I  had  not  done  that,  I  should 
have  lost  my  life." 

He  urged  her  and  left  her  no  peace,  but  he  could  draw 
nothing  from  her.  Then  said  he,  "  If  you  will  not  tell  me 
anything,  tell  your  sorrows  to  the  iron  stove  there,"  and  he 
went  away. 

Then  she  crept  into  the  iron  stove,  and  began  to  weep  and 

lament,  and  emptied  her  whole  heart,  and  said,  "  Here  am  I 

[246] 


THE  GOOSE-GIRL 

deserted  by  the  whole  world,  and  yet  I  am  a  King's  Daughter, 
and  a  false  waiting-maid  has  by  force  brought  me  to  such  a 
pass,  that  I  have  been  compelled  to  put  off  my  royal  apparel. 
She  has  taken  my  place  with  my  Bridegroom,  and  I  have  to 
do  the  mean  work  of  a  goose-girl. 

"  If  my  Mother  only  knew, 

'T would  surely  break  her  heart  in  two!" 

The  old  King  was  standing  outside  by  the  pipe  of  the  stove, 
and  was  listening  to  what  she  said,  and  heard  it.  Then  he  came 
back  again,  and  bade  her  come  out  of  the  stove.  And  royal 
garments  were  placed  on  her,  and  it  was  marvelous  how  beau- 
tiful she  was!  The  old  King  called  his  son,  and  revealed  to 
him,  that  he  had  got  the  false  Bride  who  was  only  a  waiting- 
maid,  but  that  the  true  one  was  standing  there,  as  the  goose- 
girl. 

The  young  King  rejoiced  with  all  his  heart  when  he  saw  her 
beauty  and  youth,  and  a  great  feast  was  made  ready  to  which 
all  the  people  and  all  good  friends  were  invited.  At  the  head 
of  the  table  sat  the  Bridegroom  with  the  King's  Daughter  at 
one  side  of  him,  and  the  waiting-maid  on  the  other,  but  the 
waiting-maid  was  blinded,  and  did  not  recognize  the  Princess 
in  her  dazzling  array. 

When  they  had  eaten  and  drunk,  and  were  merry,  the  old 
King  asked  the  waiting-maid  as  a  riddle,  what  a  person  de- 
served who  had  behaved  in  such  and  such  a  way  to  her  master, 
and  at  the  same  time  related  the  whole  story,  and  asked  what 
sentence  such  a  one  merited? 

Then  the  false  Bride  said,  "  She  deserves  no  better  fate  than 

[247] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

to  be  put  in  a  barrel  which  is  studded  inside  with  pointed  nails, 
and  two  white  horses  should  be  harnessed  to  it,  to  drag  her 
along  through  one  street  after  another,  till  she  is  dead." 

"  It  is  you,"  said  the  old  King,  "  and  you  have  pronounced 
your  own  sentence.    Thus  shall  it  be  done  unto  you." 

And  when  the  sentence  had  been  carried  out,  the  young  King 
married  his  true  Bride,  and  both  of  them  reigned  over  their 
kingdom  in  peace  and  happiness. 


[248] 


THE  SINGING,  SOARING  LARK 

THERE  was  once  on  a  time,  a  man  who  was  about  to 
set  out  on  a  long  journey.  At  parting  he  asked  his 
three  daughters  what  he  should  bring  back  for  them. 

Whereupon  the  eldest  wished  for  pearls,  the  second  wished 
for  diamonds,  but  the  third  said,  "  Dear  Father,  I  should  like 
a  Singing,  Soaring  Lark." 

The  father  said,  "  Yes,  if  I  can  get  it,  you  shall  have  it," 
kissed  all  three,  and  set  out. 

Now,  when  the  time  had  come  for  him  to  return  home,  he 
had  brought  pearls  and  diamonds  for  the  two  eldest.  But  he 
had  sought  everywhere  in  vain  for  a  Singing,  Soaring  Lark 
for  the  youngest,  and  he  was  very  unhappy  about  it,  for  she 
was  his  favorite  child. 

Then  his  road  lay  through  a  forest,  and  in  the  midst  of  it  was 
a  splendid  castle.  Near  the  castle  stood  a  tree,  and  quite  on 
the  top  of  the  tree,  he  saw  a  Singing,  Soaring  Lark. 

"  Aha,  you  come  just  at  the  right  moment! "  he  said,  quite 

delighted,  and  called  to  his  servant  to  climb  up  and  catch  the 

little  creature. 

[249] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

But  as  he  approached  the  tree,  a  Lion  leapt  from  beneath  it, 
shook  himself,  and  roared  till  the  leaves  on  the  tree  trembled. 
"  He  who  tries  to  steal  my  Singing,  Soaring  Lark,"  he  cried, 
"  will  I  devour." 

Then  the  man  said,  "  I  did  not  know  that  the  bird  belonged 
to  you.  I  will  make  amends  for  the  wrong  I  have  done,  and 
ransom  myself  with  a  large  sum  of  money,  only  spare  my  life." 

The  Lion  said,  "  Nothing  can  save  you,  unless  you  will 
promise  to  give  me  for  mine  own  what  first  meets  you  on  your 
return  home.  But  if  you  will  do  that,  I  will  grant  you  your 
life,  and  you  shall  have  the  bird  for  your  daughter,  into  the 
bargain." 

The  man  hesitated  and  said,  "  That  might  be  my  youngest 
daughter,  she  loves  me  best,  and  always  runs  to  meet  me  on 
my  return  home." 

The  servant,  however,  was  terrified  and  said,  "  Why  should 
your  daughter  be  the  very  one  to  meet  you,  it  might  as  easily 
be  a  cat,  or  dog?  " 

Then  the  man  allowed  himself  to  be  persuaded,  took  the 
Singing,  Soaring  Lark,  and  promised  to  give  the  Lion  what- 
soever should  first  meet  him  on  his  return  home. 

When  he  reached  home  and  entered  his  house,  the  first  who 
met  him  was  no  other  than  his  youngest  and  dearest  daughter, 
who  came  running  up,  kissed  and  embraced  him.  When  she 
saw  that  he  had  brought  with  him  a  Singing,  Soaring  Lark, 
she  was  beside  herself  with  joy. 

The  father,  however,  could  not  rejoice,  but  began  to  weep, 

and  said,  "  My  dearest  Child,  I  have  bought  the  little  bird  at 

a  great  cost !    In  return  for  it,  I  have  been  obliged  to  promise 

[2501 


THE  SINGING,  SOARING  LARK 

you  to  a  savage  Lion.  When  he  has  you  he  will  tear  you  in 
pieces  and  devour  you,"  and  he  told  her  all,  just  as  it  had  hap- 
pened, and  begged  her  not  to  go  thither,  come  what  might. 

But  she  consoled  him  and  said,  "  Dearest  Father,  indeed 
your  promise  must  be  fulfilled.  I  will  go  thither  and  soften 
the  Lion,  so  that  I  may  return  to  you  safely." 

Next  morning,  she  had  the  road  pointed  out  to  her,  took 
leave,  and  went  fearlessly  out  into  the  forest.  The  Lion,  how- 
ever, was  an  enchanted  Prince  and  was  by  day  a  Lion,  and  all 
his  people  were  Lions  with  him.  But  in  the  night,  they  re- 
sumed their  natural  human  shapes. 

On  her  arrival,  she  was  kindly  received  and  led  into  the 
castle.  When  night  came,  the  Lion  turned  into  a  handsome 
man,  and  their  wedding  was  celebrated  with  great  magnifi- 
cence. They  lived  happily  together,  remained  awake  at  night, 
and  slept  in  the  daytime. 

One  day,  he  came  and  said,  "  To-morrow  there  is  a  feast  in 
your  father's  house,  because  your  eldest  sister  is  to  be  married, 
and  if  you  are  inclined  to  go  there,  my  Lions  shall  conduct 
you." 

She  said,  "  Yes,  I  should  very  much  like  to  see  my  father 
again,"  and  went  thither,  accompanied  by  the  Lions. 

There  was  great  joy  when  she  arrived,  for  they  had  all  be- 
lieved that  she  had  been  torn  in  pieces  by  the  Lion,  and  had 
long  ceased  to  live.  But  she  told  them  what  a  handsome  hus- 
band she  had,  and  how  well  off  she  was.  She  remained  with 
them  while  the  wedding-feast  lasted,  and  then  went  back  again 
to  the  forest. 

When  the  second  daughter  was  about  to  be  married,  and 

[251] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

she  was  again  invited  to  the  wedding,  she  said  to  the  Lion, 
"  This  time,  I  will  not  go  alone.    You  must  come  with  me." 

The  Lion,  however,  said  that  it  was  too  dangerous  for  him, 
for  if  a  ray  from  a  burning  candle  should  fall  on  him,  he  would 
be  changed  into  a  Dove,  and  for  seven  years  long  would  have 
to  fly  about  with  the  Doves. 

She  said,  "Ah,  but  do  come  with  me,  I  will  take  great  care  of 
you  and  guard  you  from  all  light." 

So  they  went  away  together,  and  took  with  them  their  little 
child  as  well.  She  had  a  chamber  built,  so  strong  and  thick 
that  no  ray  could  pierce  through  it.  In  this  he  was  to  shut 
himself  up  when  the  candles  were  lit  for  the  wedding-feast. 
But  the  door  was  made  of  green  wood  which  warped  and  left  a 
little  crack  which  no  one  noticed. 

The  wedding  was  celebrated  with  magnificence;  but  when 
the  procession  with  all  its  candles  and  torches  came  back  from 
church  and  passed  by  this  apartment,  a  ray  about  the  breadth 
of  a  hair  fell  on  the  King's  Son.  When  this  ray  touched  him, 
he  was  transformed  in  an  instant.  And  when  she  came  in,  and 
looked  for  him,  she  did  not  see  him,  but  a  white  Dove  was  sit- 
ting there. 

The  Dove  said  to  her,  "  For  seven  years  must  I  fly  about  the 
world,  but  at  every  seventh  step  that  you  take  I  will  let  fall  a 
drop  of  red  blood  and  a  white  feather.  These  will  show  you 
the  way.    If  you  follow  the  trace  you  can  release  me." 

Thereupon  the  Dove  flew  out  at  the  door,  and  she  followed 

him.    At  every  seventh  step  a  red  drop  of  blood  and  a  little 

white  feather  fell  (Jown,  and  showed  her  the  way. 

So  she  went  continually  farther  and  farther,  in  the  wide 

[252] 


THE  SINGING,  SOARING  LARK 

world,  never  looking  about  her  nor  resting,  and  the  seven  years 
were  almost  past.  Then  she  rejoiced  and  thought  that  they 
would  soon  be  delivered,  and  yet  they  were  so  far  from  it ! 

Once  when  they  were  thus  moving  onwards,  no  little  feather 
and  no  drop  of  red  blood  fell,  and  when  she  raised  her  eyes  the 
Dove  had  disappeared.  And  as  she  thought  to  herself,  "  In 
this  no  man  can  help  me,"  she  climbed  up  to  the  Sun,  and  said 
to  him,  "  You  shine  into  every  crevice,  and  over  every  peak, 
have  you  not  seen  a  white  Dove  flying?  " 

"  No,"  said  the  Sun,  "  I  have  seen  none,  but  I  present  you 
with  a  casket.    Open  it  when  you  are  in  sorest  need." 

Then  she  thanked  the  Sun,  and  went  on  until  evening  came 
and  the  Moon  appeared.  She  then  asked  her,  "  You  shine  the 
whole  night  through,  and  on  every  field  and  forest,  have  you 
not  seen  a  white  Dove  flying?  " 

"  No,"  said  the  Moon,  "  I  have  seen  no  Dove,  but  here  I  give 
you  an  egg.    Break  it  when  you  are  in  great  need." 

She  thanked  the  Moon,  and  went  on  until  the  Night  Wind 
came  up  and  blew  on  her,  then  she  said  to  it,  "  You  blow  over 
every  tree  and  under  every  leaf,  have  you  not  seen  a  white 
Dove  flying? " 

"  No,"  said  the  Night  Wind,  "  I  have  seen  none,  but  I  will 
ask  the  three  other  Winds ;  perhaps  they  have  seen  it." 

The  East  Wind  and  the  West  Wind  came,  and  had  seen 

nothing,  but  the  South  Wind  said,  "  I  have  seen  the  white 

Dove,  it  has  flown  to  the  Red  Sea,  there  it  has  become  a  Lion 

again,  for  the  seven  years  are  over.    The  Lion  is  there  fighting 

with   a  Dragon.     The  Dragon,   however,   is   an   enchanted 

Princess." 

[253] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

The  Night  Wind  then  said  to  her,  "  I  will  advise  you.  Go 
to  the  Red  Sea,  on  the  right  bank  are  some  tall  reeds,  count 
them,  break  off  the  eleventh,  and  strike  the  Dragon  with  it. 
Then  the  Lion  will  be  able  to  subdue  it,  and  both  then  will  re- 
gain their  human  form.  After  that,  look  round  and  you  will 
see  the  Griffin  which  is  by  the  Red  Sea.  Swing  yourself  with 
your  beloved,  on  to  his  back,  and  the  bird  will  carry  you  over 
the  sea  to  your  own  home. 

"  Here  is  a  nut  for  you,  when  you  are  above  the  centre  of 
the  sea,  let  the  nut  fall.  It  will  immediately  shoot  up,  and  a 
tall  nut-tree  will  grow  out  of  the  water  on  which  the  Griffin 
may  rest ;  for  if  he  cannot  rest,  he  will  not  be  strong  enough  to 
carry  you  across.  If  you  forget  to  throw  down  the  nut,  he  will 
let  you  fall  into  the  sea." 

Then  she  went  thither,  and  found  everything  as  the  Night 
Wind  had  said.  She  counted  the  reeds  by  the  sea,  and  cut  off 
the  eleventh,  struck  the  Dragon  with  it,  whereupon  the  Lion 
overcame  it.  Immediately  both  of  them  regained  their  human 
shapes.  But  when  the  Princess,  who  had  been  the  Dragon, 
was  delivered  from  enchantment,  she  took  the  youth  by  the 
arm,  seated  herself  on  the  Griffin,  and  carried  him  off  with 
her. 

There  stood  the  poor  maiden,  who  had  wandered  so  far  and 
was  again  forsaken!  She  sat  down  and  cried,  but  at  last  she 
took  courage  and  said,  "  Still  I  will  go  as  far  as  the  Wind 
blows  and  as  long  as  the  cock  crows,  until  I  find  him." 

She  went  forth  by  long,  long  roads,  until  at  last  she  came 

to  the  castle,  where  both  of  them  were  living  together.    There 

she  heard  that  a  feast  was  to  be  held,  in  which  they  would  cele- 

[254] 


THE  SINGING,  SOARING  LARK 

brate  their  wedding,  but  she  said,  "  God  still  helps  me,"  and 
opened  the  casket  that  the  Sun  had  given  her.  A  dress  lay 
therein  as  brilliant  as  the  sun  itself. 

So  she  took  it  out  and  put  it  on,  and  went  up  into  the  castle, 
and  every  one,  even  the  Bride,  looked  at  her  with  astonish- 
ment. The  dress  pleased  the  Bride  so  well  that  she  thought  it 
might  do  for  her  wedding-dress,  and  asked  if  it  was  for  sale? 

"  Not  for  money  or  land,"  answered  she,  "  but  for  flesh  and 
blood." 

The  Bride  asked  her  what  she  meant  by  that,  then  she  said, 
"  Let  me  sleep  a  night  in  the  chamber  where  the  Bridegroom 
sleeps." 

The  Bride  would  not,  yet  wanted  very  much  to  have  the 
dress.  At  last  she  consented,  but  the  page  was  to  give  the 
Prince  a  sleeping-draught. 

When  it  was  night,  and  the  youth  was  already  asleep,  she 
was  led  into  the  chamber.  She  seated  herself  on  the  bed  and 
said,  "  I  have  followed  you  for  seven  years.  I  have  been  to 
the  Sun  and  the  Moon,  and  the  Four  Winds,  and  have  in- 
quired for  you  and  have  helped  you  against  the  Dragon.  Will 
you,  then,  forget  me?  " 

But  the  Prince  slept  so  soundly  that  it  only  seemed  to  him 
as  if  the  wind  were  whistling  outside  in  the  fir-trees.  When 
therefore  day  broke,  she  was  led  out  again,  and  had  to  give  up 
the  golden  dress.  And  as  that  had  been  of  no  avail,  she  was 
sad,  went  out  into  a  meadow,  sat  down  there,  and  wept. 

While  she  was  sitting  there,  she  thought  of  the  egg  which  the 

Moon  had  given  her.     She  opened  it,  and  there  came  out  a 

clucking  hen  with  twelve  chickens  all  of  gold.    They  ran  about 

[255] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

chirping,  and  crept  again  under  the  old  hen's  wings.  Nothing 
more  beautiful  was  ever  seen  in  the  world ! 

She  arose,  and  drove  them  through  the  meadow.  The  Bride 
looked  out  of  the  window,  and  the  little  chickens  pleased  her  so 
that  she  came  down  and  asked  if  they  were  for  sale. 

"  Not  for  money  or  land,  but  for  flesh  and  blood.  Let  me 
sleep  again  in  the  chamber  where  the  Bridegroom  sleeps." 

The  Bride  said,  "  Yes,"  intending  to  cheat  her  as  on  the 
former  evening.  But  when  the  Prince  went  to  bed  he  asked  the 
page  what  the  murmuring  and  rustling  in  the  night  had  been. 
On  this  the  page  told  all;  that  he  had  been  forced  to  give  him 
a  sleeping-draught,  because  a  poor  girl  had  slept  secretly  in 
the  chamber,  and  that  he  was  to  give  him  another  that  night. 

The  Prince  said,  "  Pour  out  the  draught  by  the  bedside." 

At  night,  she  was  again  led  in,  and  when  she  began  to  relate 
how  ill  all  had  fared  with  her,  he  immediately  recognized  his 
beloved  wife  by  her  voice,  sprang  up  and  cried,  "  Now  I  really 
am  released !  I  have  been  as  it  were  in  a  dream,  for  the  strange 
Princess  has  bewitched  me  so  that  I  have  been  compelled  to 
forget  you!  But  God  has  delivered  me  from  the  spell  at  the 
right  time." 

Then  they  both  left  the  castle  secretly  in  the  night,  for  they 

feared  the  father  of  the  Princess,  who  was  a  sorcerer.    They 

seated  themselves  on  the  Griffin  which  bore  them  across  the 

Red  Sea.    When  they  were  in  the  midst  of  it,  she  let  fall  the 

nut.     Immediately  a  tall  nut-tree  grew  up,  whereon  the  bird 

rested,  and  then  carried  them  home,  where  they  found  their 

child,  who  had  grown  tall  and  beautiful. 

And  they  lived  thenceforth  happily  until  their  death. 

[  256  ] 


DOCTOR  KNOWALL 


THERE  was  once  on  a  time,  a  poor  peasant  called  Crab, 
who  drove  two  oxen  with  a  load  of  wood  to  town,  and 
sold  it  to  a  doctor  for  two  dollars. 

When  the  money  was  being  counted  out  to  him,  it  so  hap- 
pened that  the  doctor  was  sitting  at  table,  and  when  the 
peasant  saw  how  daintily  he  ate  and  drank,  his  heart  desired 
what  he  saw,  and  he  would  willingly  have  been  a  doctor.  So 
he  remained  standing  a  while,  and  at  length  inquired  if  he,  too, 
could  not  be  a  doctor. 

"  Oh,  yes,"  said  the  doctor,  "  that  is  soon  managed." 

"  What  must  I  do?  "  asked  the  peasant. 

"  In  the  first  place,  buy  yourself  an  A  B  C  book  of  the  kind 
which  has  a  cock  on  the  frontispiece.  In  the  second,  turn  your 
cart  and  your  two  oxen  into  money,  and  get  yourself  some 
clothes,  and  whatsoever  else  pertains  to  medicine.  Thirdly, 
have  a  sign  painted  with  the  words,  '  I  am  Doctor  Knowall/ 
and  have  that  nailed  up  above  your  house-door." 

The  peasant  did  everything  that  he  had  been  told  to  do. 

When  he  had  doctored  people  a  while,  but  not  long,  a  rich  and 

^[257] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

great  lord  had  some  money  stolen.  Then  he  was  told  about 
Doctor  Knowall  who  lived  in  such  and  such  a  village,  and  must 
know  what  had  become  of  the  money.  So  the  lord  had  the 
horses  put  in  his  carriage,  drove  out  to  the  village,  and  asked 
Crab  if  he  were  Doctor  Knowall? 

Yes,  he  was,  he  said. 

Then  he  was  to  go  with  him  and  bring  back  the  stolen  money. 

"  Oh,  yes,  but  Grethe,  my  wife,  must  go  too." 

The  lord  was  willing,  and  let  both  of  them  have  a  seat  in  the 
carriage.  They  all  drove  away  together.  When  they  came  to 
the  nobleman's  castle,  the  table  was  spread,  and  Crab  was  told 
to  sit  down  and  eat. 

"  Yes,  but  my  wife,  Grethe,  too,"  said  he,  and  he  seated 
himself  with  her  at  the  table. 

And  when  the  first  servant  came  with  a  dish  of  delicate  fare, 
the  peasant  nudged  his  wife,  and  said,  "  Grethe,  that  was  the 
first,"  meaning  that  was  the  servant  who  brought  the  first 
dish. 

The  servant,  however,  thought  he  intended  by  that  to  say, 
"  That  is  the  first  thief,"  and  as  he  actually  was  so,  he  was 
terrified,  and  said  to  his  comrade  outside,  "  The  doctor  knows 
all!  we  shall  fare  badly;  he  said  I  was  the  first." 

The  second  did  not  want  to  go  in  at  all,  but  was  obliged  to. 
So  when  he  went  in,  the  peasant  nudged  his  wife,  and  said, 
"  Grethe,  that  is  the  second."  This  servant  was  so  frightened, 
that  he  got  out. 

With  the  third,  it  did  not  fare  any  better,  for  the  peasant 
said  again,  "  Grethe,  that  is  the  third." 

The  fourth  had  to  carry  in  a  covered  dish.    In  it  were  crabs. 

[258] 


THE    FIRST  SERVANT  CAME  WITH  A  DISH  OF  DELICATE  FARE 


DOCTOR  KNOW  ALL 

The  lord  told  the  doctor  that  he  must  show  his  skill  by  guessing 
what  was  under  the  cover.  The  doctor  looked  at  the  dish,  had 
no  idea  what  was  in  it,  and  cried  out,  "  Alas !  poor  Crab!  " 

When  the  lord  heard  that,  he  cried,  "  There!  he  knows  who 
has  the  money !  " 

At  this,  the  servants  were  terribly  anxious.  They  winked  at 
the  doctor  to  come  out  to  them.  When  he  went  out,  they  all 
four  confessed  that  they  had  stolen  the  money,  and  that  they 
were  willing  to  restore  it.  They  led  him  to  the  spot  where  it 
was  hidden. 

Thus  the  lord  got  back  his  wealth,  and  Doctor  Knowall  re- 
ceived a  large  reward  and  became  a  famous  man. 


[259] 


-.. 


THE  BLUE  LIGHT 

THERE  was  once  on  a  time,  a  soldier  who  for  many- 
years  had  served  the  King  faithfully.  But  when  the 
war  came  to  an  end  he  could  serve  no  longer  because 
of  the  many  wounds  which  he  had  received. 

The  King  said  to  him,  "  You  may  return  to  your  home,  I 
need  you  no  longer.  You  will  not  receive  any  more  money, 
for  only  he  receives  wages  who  renders  me  service  for 
them." 

Then  the  soldier  did  not  know  how  to  earn  a  living,  went 
away  greatly  troubled,  and  walked  the  whole  day,  until  in  the 
evening  he  entered  a  forest.  When  darkness  came  on,  he  saw 
a  light,  which  he  went  toward,  and  came  to  a  house  wherein 
lived  a  Witch. 

"  Do  give  me  one  night's  lodging,  and  a  little  to  eat  and 
drink,"  said  he  to  her,  "  or  I  shall  starve." 

"  Oho! "  she  answered,  "  who  gives  anything  to  a  runaway 

soldier?    Yet  will  I  be  compassionate,  and  take  you  in,  if  you 

will  do  what  I  wish." 

"  What  do  you  wish?  "  said  the  soldier. 

[  260  ] 


THE  BLUE  LIGHT 

"  That  you  should  dig  all  round  my  garden  for  me,  to-mor- 


row." 


The  soldier  consented,  and  next  day  labored  with  all  his 
strength,  but  could  not  finish  it  by  the  evening. 

"  I  see  well  enough,"  said  the  Witch,  "  that  you  can  do  no 
more  to-day.  But  I  will  keep  you  yet  another  night,  in  pay- 
ment for  which  you  must  to-morrow  chop  me  a  load  of  wood, 
and  make  it  small." 

The  soldier  spent  the  whole  day  in  doing  it,  and  in  the  even- 
ing the  Witch  proposed  that  he  should  stay  one  night  more. 
"  To-morrow,  you  shall  do  me  a  very  trifling  piece  of  work. 
Behind  my  house,  there  is  an  old,  dry  well,  into  which  my  light 
has  fallen.  It  burns  blue,  and  never  goes  out,  and  you  shall 
bring  it  up  again  for  me." 

Next  day,  the  Old  Woman  took  him  to  the  well,  and  let  him 
down  in  a  basket.  He  found  the  Blue  Light,  and  made  her  a 
signal  to  draw  him  up  again.  She  did  draw  him  up,  but  when 
he  came  near  the  edge,  she  stretched  down  her  hand  and  wanted 
to  take  the  Blue  Light  away  from  him. 

"  No,"  said  he,  perceiving  her  evil  intention,  "  I  will  not 
give  you  the  light,  until  I  am  standing  with  both  feet  upon  the 
ground." 

The  Witch  fell  into  a  passion,  let  him  down  again  into  the 
well,  and  went  away. 

The  poor  soldier  fell  without  injury  on  the  moist  ground, 

and  the  Blue  Light  went  on  burning.    But  of  what  use  was 

that  to  him?     He  saw  very  well  that  he  could  not  escape  death. 

He  sat  for  a  while  very  sorrowfully,  then  suddenly  he  felt  in 

his  pocket  and  found  his  pipe,  which  was  still  half  full  of  to- 

[261] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

bacco.  "  This  shall  be  my  last  pleasure,"  thought  he,  pulled 
it  out,  lit  it  at  the  Blue  Light  and  began  to  smoke. 

When  the  smoke  had  circled  about  the  cavern,  suddenly  a 
little  Black  Man  stood  before  him,  and  said,  "  Master,  what 
are  your  commands?  " 

"  What  commands  have  I  to  give  you?  "  replied  the  soldier, 
quite  astonished. 

"  I  must  do  everything  you  bid  me,"  said  the  Little  Man. 

"  Good,"  said  the  soldier;  "  then  in  the  first  place  help  me 
out  of  this  well." 

The  Little  Man  took  him  by  the  hand,  and  led  him  through 
an  underground  passage,  but  the  soldier  did  not  forget  to  take 
the  Blue  Light  with  him.  On  the  way  the  Little  Man  showed 
him  treasures  hidden  there,  and  the  soldier  took  as  much  gold  as 
he  could  carry. 

When  he  was  above,  he  said  to  the  Little  Man,  "  Now  go 
and  bind  the  old  Witch,  and  carry  her  before  the  judge." 

In  a  short  time  she,  with  frightful  cries,  came  riding  by,  as 
swift  as  the  wind,  on  a  wild  tom-cat,  nor  was  it  long  after  that 
before  the  Little  Man  reappeared.  "  It  is  all  done,"  said  he, 
"  and  the  Witch  is  already  hanging  on  the  gallows.  What 
further  commands  has  my  lord?  "  inquired  the  Little  Man. 

"At  this  moment,  none,"  answered  the  soldier;  "  you  may 
return  home.    Only  be  at  hand  immediately,  if  I  summon  you." 

"  Nothing  more  is  needed  than  that  you  should  light  your 
pipe  at  the  Blue  Light,  and  I  will  appear  before  you  at  once." 
Thereupon  he  vanished  from  sight. 

The  soldier  returned  to  the  town  from  which  he  had  come. 

He  went  to  the  best  inn,  ordered  himself  handsome  clothes, 

[262] 


THE  BLUE  LIGHT 

and  then  bade  the  landlord  furnish  him  a  room  as  magnificent 
as  possible. 

When  it  was  ready  and  the  soldier  had  taken  possession  of 
it,  he  summoned  the  Little  Black  Man  and  said,  "  I  have  served 
the  King  faithfully,  but  he  has  dismissed  me,  and  left  me  to 
hunger,  and  now  I  want  to  punish  him." 

"  What  am  I  to  do?  "  asked  the  Little  Man. 

"  Late  at  night,  when  the  King's  Daughter  is  in  bed,  bring 
her  here  in  her  sleep ;  she  shall  do  servant's  work  for  me." 

The  Little  Man  said,  "  That  is  an  easy  thing  for  me  to  do, 
but  a  very  dangerous  thing  for  you,  for  if  it  is  discovered,  you 
will  fare  ill." 

When  twelve  o'clock  had  struck,  the  door  sprang  open,  and 
the  Little  Man  carried  in  the  Princess. 

"  Aha!  are  you  there?  "  cried  the  soldier,  "  get  to  your  work 
at  once!    Fetch  the  broom  and  sweep  the  chamber." 

When  she  had  done  this,  he  ordered  her  to  come  to  his  chair. 
Then  he  stretched  out  his  feet  and  said,  "  Pull  off  my  boots  for 
me,"  and  made  her  pick  them  up  again,  and  clean  and  brighten 
them. 

She,  however,  did  everything  he  bade  her,  without  opposi- 
tion, silently  and  with  half -shut  eyes.  When  the  first  cock 
crowed,  the  Little  Man  carried  her  back  to  the  royal  Palace, 
and  laid  her  in  her  bed. 

Next  morning,  when  the  Princess  arose,  she  went  to  her  fa- 
ther, and  told  him  that  she  had  had  a  very  strange  dream.  "  I 
was  carried  through  the  streets  with  the  rapidity  of  lightning," 
said  she,  "  and  taken  into  a  soldier's  room,  and  I  had  to  wait 

upon  him  like  a  servant,  sweep  his  room,  clean  his  boots,  and 

[  263  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

do  all  kinds  of  menial  work.  It  was  only  a  dream,  and  yet  I 
am  just  as  tired  as  if  I  really  had  done  everything." 

"  The  dream  may  have  been  true,"  said  the  King.  "  I  will 
give  you  a  piece  of  advice.  Fill  your  pocket  full  of  peas,  and 
make  a  small  hole  in  it,  and  then  if  you  are  carried  away  again, 
they  will  fall  out  and  leave  a  track  in  the  streets." 

But  unseen  by  the  King,  the  Little  Man  was  standing  be- 
side him  when  he  said  that,  and  heard  all.  At  night,  when  the 
sleeping  Princess  was  again  carried  through  the  streets,  some 
peas  certainly  did  fall  out  of  her  pocket,  but  they  made  no 
track,  for  the  crafty  Little  Man  had  just  before  scattered  peas 
in  every  other  street.  And  again  the  Princess  was  compelled 
to  do  servant's  work  until  cock-crow. 

Next  morning,  the  King  sent  his  people  out  to  seek  the  track, 
but  it  was  all  in  vain,  for  in  every  street  poor  children  were 
sitting,  picking  up  peas,  and  saying,  "  It  must  have  rained 
peas,  last  night." 

"  We  must  think  of  something  else,"  said  the  King;  "  keep 
your  shoes  on  when  you  go  to  bed,  and  before  you  come  back 
from  the  place  where  you  are  taken,  hide  one  of  them  there. 
I  will  soon  find  it." 

The  Little  Black  Man  heard  this  plot,  and  at  night  when 
the  soldier  again  ordered  him  to  bring  the  Princess,  revealed  it 
to  him,  and  told  him  that  he  knew  of  no  way  to  overcome  this 
stratagem,  and  that  if  the  shoe  were  found  in  the  soldier's  house 
it  would  go  badly  with  him. 

"  Do  what  I  bid  you,"  replied  the  soldier.  And  again  this 
third  night,  the  Princess  was  obliged  to  work  like  a  servant,  but 

before  she  went  away,  she  hid  her  shoe  under  the  bed. 

[264] 


THE  BLUE  LIGHT 

Next  morning,  the  King  had  the  entire  town  searched  for 
his  daughter's  shoe.  It  was  found  at  the  soldier's,  and  the 
soldier  himself,  who  at  the  entreaty  of  the  Little  Man,  had  gone 
outside  the  city-gate,  was  soon  brought  back,  and  thrown  into 
prison. 

In  his  flight  he  had  forgotten  the  most  valuable  things  he 
had,  the  Blue  Light  and  the  gold,  and  had  only  one  ducat  in  his 
pocket.  And  now  loaded  with  chains,  he  was  standing  at  the 
window  of  his  dungeon,  when  he  chanced  to  see  one  of  his 
comrades  passing  by. 

The  soldier  tapped  at  the  pane  of  glass,  and  when  this  man 
came  up,  said  to  him,  "  Be  so  kind  as  to  fetch  me  the  small 
bundle  I  have  left  lying  in  the  inn,  and  I  will  give  you  a  ducat 
for  doing  it." 

His  comrade  ran  thither  and  brought  him  what  he  wanted. 
As  soon  as  the  soldier  was  alone  again,  he  lighted  his  pipe  and 
summoned  the  Little  Black  Man. 

"  Have  no  fear,"  said  the  latter  to  his  master.  "  Go  where- 
soever they  take  you,  and  let  them  do  what  they  will,  only  take 
the  Blue  Light  with  you." 

Next  day  the  soldier  was  tried,  and  though  he  had  done 
nothing  wicked,  the  judge  condemned  him  to  death.  When  he 
was  led  forth  to  die,  he  begged  a  last  favor  of  the  King. 

"  What  is  it?  "  asked  the  King. 

"  That  I  may  smoke  one  more  pipe  on  my  way." 

"  You  may  smoke  three,"  answered  the  King,  "  but  do  not 
imagine  that  I  will  spare  your  life." 

Then  the  soldier  pulled  out  his  pipe  and  lighted  it  at  the 

Blue  Light.    And  as  soon  as  a  few  wreaths  of  smoke  had  as- 

[265  J 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

cended  the  Little  Man  was  there  with  a  small  cudgel  in  his 
hand,  and  said,  "  What  does  my  lord  command?  " 

"  Strike  down  to  earth  that  false  judge  there,  and  his 
constable,  and  spare  not  the  King  who  has  treated  me  so 
ill." 

Then  the  Little  Man  fell  on  them  like  lightning,  darting 
this  way  and  that,  and  whosoever  was  so  much  as  touched  by 
his  cudgel  fell  to  earth,  and  did  not  venture  to  stir  again.  The 
King  was  terrified;  he  threw  himself  on  the  soldier's  mercy, 
and  begged  merely  to  be  allowed  to  live.  He  gave  him  his 
kingdom  for  his  own,  and  the  Princess  to  wife. 


[266] 


Kb£__ .    --  ■          eBv-"  l  ^n^J 

Bg                 '  ■'      1            1 A'' —  -*-1-^l 

J't1  ■                                  1 »  ~     T7"  ■    -  *" "~  r"  ~~  *~ dfl 

m'  7 

f,.-\-,»_ 

1 

THE  SPINDLE,  THE  SHUTTLE,  AND 
THE  NEEDLE 


"^HERE  was  once  a  girl  whose  father  and  mother  died 

while  she  was  still  a  little  child.    All  alone,  in  a  small 

house  at  the  end  of  the  village,  dwelt  her  godmother, 

who  supported  herself  by  spinning,  weaving,  and  sewing.     The 

old  woman  took  the  forlorn  child  to  live  with  her,  kept  her  to 

her  work,  and  educated  her  in  all  that  is  good. 

When  the  girl  was  fifteen,  the  old  woman  became  ill, 
called  the  child  to  her  bedside,  and  said,  "  Dear  Daughter, 
I  feel  my  end  drawing  near.  I  leave  you  the  little  house, 
which  will  protect  you  from  wind  and  weather,  and  my 
spindle,  shuttle,  and  needle,  with  which  you  can  earn  your 
bread." 

Then  she  laid  her  hands  on  the  girl's  head,  blessed  her,  and 
said,  "  Only  preserve  the  love  of  God  in  your  heart,  and  all  will 
go  well  with  you." 

Thereupon  she  closed  her  eyes,  and  when  she  was  laid  in  the 

earth,  the  maiden  followed  the  coffin,  weeping  bitterly,  and 

paid  her  the  last  mark  of  respect. 

[267] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

And  now  the  maiden  lived  quite  alone  in  the  little  house, 
and  was  industrious,  and  span,  wove,  and  sewed,  and  the  bless- 
ing of  the  good  old  woman  was  on  all  that  she  did.  It  seemed 
as  if  the  flax  in  the  room  increased  of  its  own  accord,  and  when- 
ever she  wove  a  piece  of  cloth  or  carpet,  or  had  made  a  shirt, 
she  at  once  found  a  buyer  who  paid  her  amply  for  it.  So  that 
she  was  in  want  of  nothing,  and  even  had  something  to  share 
with  others. 

About  this  time,  the  Son  of  the  King  was  traveling  about 
the  country  looking  for  a  Bride.  He  was  not  to  choose  a  poor 
one,  and  did  not  want  to  have  a  rich  one.  So  he  said,  "  She 
shall  be  my  wife  who  is  the  poorest,  and  at  the  same  time  the 
richest." 

When  he  came  to  the  village  where  the  maiden  dwelt,  he  in- 
quired, as  he  did  wherever  he  went,  who  was  the  richest  and 
also  the  poorest  girl  in  the  place?  They  first  named  the  richest ; 
the  poorest,  they  said,  was  the  girl  who  lived  in  the  small  house 
quite  at  the  end  of  the  village. 

The  rich  girl  was  sitting  in  all  her  splendor  before  the  door 
of  her  house,  and  when  the  Prince  approached  her,  she  got  up, 
went  to  meet  him,  and  made  him  a  low  curtsey.  He  looked  at 
her,  said  nothing,  and  rode  on. 

When  he  came  to  the  house  of  the  poor  girl,  she  was  not 
standing  at  the  door,  but  sitting  in  her  little  room.  He  stopped 
his  horse,  and  saw,  through  the  window  on  which  the  bright  sun 
was  shining,  the  girl  sitting  at  her  spinning-wheel,  busily  spin- 
ning. She  looked  up,  and  when  she  saw  that  the  Prince  was 
gazing  in,  blushed  all  over  her  face,  let  her  eyes  fall,  and 

went  on  spinning.     I  do  not  know  whether,  just  at  that  mo- 

[268] 


THE  SPINDLE,  SHUTTLE  AND  NEEDLE 

ment,  the  thread  was  quite  even;  but  she  went  on  spinning 
until  the  King's  Son  had  ridden  away  again. 

Then  she  stepped  to  the  window,  opened  it,  and  said,  "  It  is 
so  warm  in  this  room!  "  but  she  still  looked  after  him  as  long  as 
she  could  see  the  white  feathers  in  his  hat.  Then  she  sat  down 
to  work  again  in  her  own  room  and  went  on  with  her  spinning. 
And  a  saying  which  the  old  woman  had  often  repeated  when 
she  was  sitting  at  her  work,  came  into  her  mind,  and  she  sang 
these  words  to  herself: 

"Spindle,  my  Spindle,  haste,  haste  thee  away, 
Here  to  my  house  bring  the  wooer,  I  pray." 

And  what  do  you  think  happened?  The  spindle  sprang  out  of 
her  hand  in  an  instant,  and  out  of  the  door.  And  when,  in  her 
astonishment,  she  got  up  and  looked  after  it,  she  saw  that  it 
was  dancing  out  merrily  into  the  open  country,  and  drawing  a 
shining  golden  thread  after  it.  Before  long,  it  had  entirely 
vanished  from  her  sight. 

As  she  had  now  no  spindle,  the  girl  took  the  weaver's  shuttle 
in  her  hand,  sat  down  to  her  loom,  and  began  to  weave. 

The  spindle,  however,  danced  continually  onward,  and  just 
as  the  thread  came  to  an  end,  reached  the  Prince. 

"  What  do  I  see?  "  he  cried;  "  the  spindle  certainly  wants  to 
show  me  the  way!  "  He  turned  his  horse  about,  and  rode  back 
with  the  golden  thread.  The  girl  was,  however,  sitting  at  her 
work  singing: 

"Shuttle,  my  Shuttle,  weave  well  this  day, 
And  guide  the  wooer  to  me,  I  pray." 

Immediately  the  shuttle  sprang  out  of  her  hand  and  out  by  the 

[269] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

door.  Before  the  threshold,  however,  it  began  to  weave  a  car- 
pet which  was  more  beautiful  than  the  eyes  of  man  had  ever 
yet  beheld.  Lilies  and  roses  blossomed  on  both  sides  of  it. 
And  on  a  golden  ground  in  the  centre  green  branches  ascended, 
under  which  bounded  hares  and  rabbits.  Stags  and  deer 
stretched  their  heads  in  between  them.  Brightly-colored  birds 
were  sitting  in  the  branches  above.  They  lacked  nothing  but 
the  gift  of  song.  The  shuttle  leapt  hither  and  thither,  and 
everything  seemed  to  grow  of  its  own  accord. 

As  the  shuttle  had  run  away,  the  girl  sat  down  to  sew.  She 
held  the  needle  in  her  hand  and  sang: 

"Needle,  my  Needle,  sharp-pointed  and  fine, 
Prepare  for  a  wooer  this  house  of  mine." 

Then  the  needle  leapt  out  of  her  fingers,  and  flew  everywhere 
about  the  room  as  quick  as  lightning.  It  was  just  as  if  in- 
visible spirits  were  working.  They  covered  tables  and  benches 
with  green  cloth  in  an  instant,  and  the  chairs  with  velvet,  and 
hung  the  windows  with  silken  curtains. 

Hardly  had  the  needle  put  in  the  last  stitch,  than  the  maiden 
saw  through  the  window  the  white  feathers  of  the  Prince,  whom 
the  spindle  had  brought  thither  by  the  golden  thread.  He 
alighted,  stepped  over  the  carpet  into  the  house,  and  when  he 
entered  the  room,  there  stood  the  maiden  in  her  poor  garments, 
but  she  shone  out  from  them  like  a  rose  surrounded  by  leaves. 

"  You  are  the  poorest  and  also  the  richest,"  said  he  to  her. 
"  Come  with  me,  you  shall  be  my  Bride." 

She  did  not  speak,  but  she  gave  him  her  hand.     Then  he 

kissed  her,  and  led  her  forth,  lifted  her  on  to  his  horse,  and 

[270] 


THE  SPINDLE,  SHUTTLE  AND  NEEDLE 

took  her  to  the  royal  castle,  where  the  wedding  was  solemnized 
with  great  rejoicings. 

The  spindle,  shuttle,  and  needle  were  preserved  in  the  treas- 
ure-chamber, and  held  in  great  honor. 


[271] 


7 

»vg  ^^ 

5'1 

f. 

FTp^ 

\i        iP^ 

vB 

?N^1-^ 

L.  **■- 

u 

THE  THREE  LUCK-CHILDREN 

A  FATHER  once  called  his  three  sons  before  him.  He 
gave  to  the  first  a  cock,  to  the  second  a  scythe,  and  to 
the  third  a  cat. 

"  I  am  old,"  said  he,  "  my  death  is  nigh,  and  I  have  wished 
to  take  thought  for  you  before  my  end.  Money  I  have  not, 
and  what  I  now  give  you  seems  of  little  worth.  But  all  depends 
on  your  making  a  sensible  use  of  it.  Only  seek  out  a  country 
where  such  things  are  still  unknown,  and  your  fortune  is 
made." 

After  the  father's  death,  the  eldest  went  away  with  his  cock. 
But  wherever  he  came  the  cock  was  already  known.  In  the 
towns,  he  saw  him  from  a  long  distance,  sitting  upon  the 
steeples  and  turning  round  with  the  wind ;  and  in  the  villages  he 
heard  more  than  one  crowing.  No  one  would  show  any  wonder 
at  the  creature,  so  that  it  did  not  look  as  if  he  would  make  his 
fortune  by  it. 

At  last,  however,  it  happened  that  he  came  to  an  island  where 
the  people  knew  nothing  about  cocks,  and  did  not  even  under- 
stand how  to  tell  time.    They  certainly  knew  when  it  was  morn- 

[272] 


WHEN  THE  CORN  WAS  RIPE,    THEY  SHOT  IT  DOWN 


THE  THREE  LUCK-CHILDREN 

ing  or  evening.    But  at  night,  if  they  did  not  sleep  through  it, 
not  one  of  them  knew  how  to  find  out  the  time. 

"  Look!  "  said  he,  "  what  a  proud  creature!  It  has  a  ruby- 
red  crown  upon  its  head,  and  wears  spurs  like  a  knight.  It 
calls  you  three  times  during  the  night,  at  fixed  hours ;  and  when 
it  calls  for  the  last  time,  the  sun  soon  after  rises.  But  if  it 
crows  by  broad  daylight,  then  take  notice,  for  there  will  cer- 
tainly be  a  change  of  weather." 

The  people  were  well  pleased.  For  a  whole  night  they  did 
not  sleep,  and  listened  with  great  delight  as  the  cock  at  two, 
four,  and  six  o'clock,  loudly  and  clearly  proclaimed  the  time. 
They  asked  if  the  creature  were  for  sale,  and  how  much  he 
wanted  for  it. 

"  About  as  much  gold  as  an  ass  can  carry,"  answered  he. 

"  A  ridiculously  small  price  for  such  a  precious  creature! ' 
they  cried  all  together,  and  willingly  gave  him  what  he  had 
asked. 

When  he  came  home  with  his  wealth,  his  brothers  were  as- 
tonished, and  the  second  said,  "  Well,  I  will  go  forth  and  see 
whether  I  cannot  get  rid  of  my  scythe  as  profitably."  But  it 
did  not  look  as  if  he  would,  for  laborers  met  him  everywhere, 
and  they  had  scythes  upon  their  shoulders  as  well  as  he. 

At  last,  however,  he  chanced  upon  an  island  where  the  peo- 
ple knew  nothing  of  scythes.  When  the  corn  was  ripe,  they 
took  cannon  out  to  the  fields  and  shot  it  down.  Now  this  was 
rather  an  uncertain  affair.  Many  shot  right  over  it,  others  hit 
the  ears  instead  of  the  stems  and  shot  them  away,  whereby  much 
was  lost ;  and  besides  all  this  it  made  a  terrible  noise. 

So  the  man  set  to  work  and  mowed  it  down  so  quietly  and 

[  273  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

quickly  that  the  people  opened  their  mouths  with  astonishment. 
They  agreed  to  give  him  what  he  wanted  for  the  scythe,  and  he 
received  a  horse  laden  with  as  much  gold  as  it  could  carry. 

And  now  the  third  brother  wanted  to  take  his  cat  to  the  right 
man.  He  fared  just  like  the  others.  So  long  as  he  stayed  on 
the  mainland,  there  was  nothing  to  be  done.  Every  place  had 
cats,  and  there  were  so  many  of  them  that  most  new-born  kit- 
tens were  drowned  in  the  ponds. 

At  last,  he  sailed  to  an  island,  and  it  luckily  happened  that 
no  cats  had  ever  yet  been  seen  there,  and  that  the  mice  had  got 
the  upper  hand  so  much,  that  they  danced  upon  the  tables  and 
benches  whether  the  master  were  at  home  or  not.  The  people 
complained  bitterly  of  the  plague.  The  King  himself,  in  his 
palace,  did  not  know  how  to  secure  himself  against  them.  Mice 
squeaked  in  every  corner,  and  gnawed  whatever  they  could  lay 
hold  of  with  their  teeth. 

But  now  the  cat  began  her  chase,  and  soon  cleared  a  couple 
of  rooms,  and  the  people  begged  the  King  to  buy  the  wonder- 
ful beast  for  the  country.  The  King  willingly  gave  what  was 
asked,  which  was  a  mule  laden  with  gold ;  and  the  third  brother 
came  home  with  the  greatest  treasure  of  all. 

The  cat  made  merry  with  the  mice  in  the  royal  palace,  and 
killed  so  many  that  they  could  not  be  counted.  At  last  she 
grew  warm  with  the  work  and  thirsty,  so  she  stood  still,  lifted 
up  her  head  and  cried,  "  Mew!  mew!  " 

When  they  heard  this  strange  cry,  the  King  and  all  his  peo- 
ple were  frightened,  and  in  their  terror  ran  out  of  the  palace. 

Then  the  King  took  counsel  what  was  best  to  be  done.    At 

last,  it  was  decided  to  send  a  herald  to  the  cat,  and  command 

[274] 


THE  THREE  LUCK-CHILDREN 

her  to  leave  the  palace;  if  not,  she  was  to  expect  that  force 
would  be  used  against  her. 

The  councilors  said,  "  We  would  rather  be  plagued  with  mice 
to  which  misfortune  we  are  accustomed,  than  give  up  our  lives 
to  such  a  monster  as  this." 

A  noble  youth,  therefore,  was  sent  to  ask  the  cat  whether  she 
"  would  peaceably  quit  the  palace."  But  the  cat,  whose  thirst 
had  become  still  greater,  answered  again,  "  Mew !  Mew !  " 

The  youth  thought  that  she  said,  "  Most  certainly  not ! 
Most  certainly  not!  "  and  took  this  answer  to  the  King. 

"  Then,"  said  the  councilors,  "  she  must  yield  to  force." 

Cannon  were  brought  out,  and  the  palace  was  soon  in  flames. 
When  the  fire  reached  the  room  where  the  cat  was  sitting,  she 
sprang  safely  out  of  the  window.  But  the  besiegers  did  not 
leave  off,  until  the  whole  palace  was  shot  down  to  the  ground. 


[275] 


THE  DONKEY  CABBAGES 

THERE  was  once  a  young  huntsman,  who  went  into  the 
forest  to  lie  in  wait.  He  had  a  fresh  and  joyous  heart, 
and  as  he  was  going  thither,  whistling  upon  a  leaf,  an 
ugly  old  crone  came  up,  who  spoke  to  him  and  said,  "  Good- 
day,  dear  huntsman,  truly  you  are  merry  and  contented,  but  I 
am  suffering  from  hunger  and  thirst,  do  give  me  an  alms." 

The  huntsman  had  compassion  on  the  poor  old  creature,  felt 
in  his  pocket,  and  gave  her  what  he  could  afford. 

He  was  then  about  to  go  further,  but  the  old  woman  stopped 
him  and  said,  "  Listen,  dear  Huntsman,  to  what  I  tell  you.  I 
will  make  you  a  present  in  return  for  your  kindness.  Go  on 
your  way  now,  but  in  a  little  while  you  will  come  to  a  tree, 
whereon  nine  birds  are  sitting  which  have  a  cloak  in  their  claws, 
and  are  plucking  at  it.  Take  your  gun  and  shoot  into  the 
midst  of  them.  They  will  let  the  cloak  fall  down  to  you,  but 
one  of  the  birds  will  be  hurt,  and  will  drop  dead. 

"  Carry  away  the  cloak,  it  is  a  Wishing-Cloak.     When  you 

throw  it  over  your  shoulders,  you  only  have  to  wish  to  be  in  a 

certain  place,  and  you  will  be  there  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye. 

[276] 


THE  DONKEY  CABBAGES 

Take  out  the  heart  of  the  dead  bird,  swallow  it  whole,  and  every 
morning  early,  when  you  get  up,  you  will  find  a  gold  piece 
under  your  pillow." 

The  huntsman  thanked  the  Wise  Woman,  and  thought  to 
himself,  "  Those  are  fine  things  that  she  has  promised  me,  if 
all  does  but  come  true !  " 

And  verily  when  he  had  walked  about  a  hundred  paces,  he 
heard  in  the  branches  above  him  a  screaming  and  twittering. 
He  looked  up  and  saw  a  crowd  of  birds,  who  were  tearing  a 
piece  of  cloth  with  their  beaks  and  claws,  and  tugging  and 
fighting  as  if  each  wanted  to  have  it  all  to  himself. 

"  Well,"  said  the  huntsman,  "  this  is  wonderful.  It  has  come 
to  pass  just  as  the  old  wife  foretold!"  and  he  took  the  gun 
from  his  shoulder,  aimed  and  fired  right  into  the  midst  of  them, 
so  that  the  feathers  flew  about. 

The  birds  instantly  took  to  flight  with  loud  outcries,  but  one 
dropped  down  dead,  and  the  cloak  fell  at  the  same  time.  Then 
the  huntsman  did  as  the  old  woman  had  directed  him,  cut  open 
the  bird,  sought  the  heart,  swallowed  it  down,  and  took  the 
cloak  home  with  him. 

Next  morning,  when  he  awoke,  the  promise  occurred  to  him. 
He  wished  to  see  if  it  also  had  been  fulfilled.  When  he  lifted 
up  the  pillow,  the  gold  piece  shone  in  his  eyes.  The  next  day, 
he  found  another,  and  so  it  went  on,  every  time  he  got  up.  He 
gathered  together  a  heap  of  gold,  but  at  last  he  thought,  "  Of 
what  use  is  all  my  gold  to  me  if  I  stay  at  home?  I  will  go 
forth  and  see  the  world." 

He  then  took  leave  of  his  parents,  buckled  on  his  huntsman's 

pouch  and  gun,  and  went  out  into  the  world. 

[277] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

It  came  to  pass,  that  one  day  he  traveled  through  a  dense 
forest,  and  when  he  came  to  the  end  of  it,  in  the  plain  before 
him  was  a  fine  castle.  An  Old  Woman  was  standing  with  a 
wonderfully  beautiful  maiden,  looking  out  of  one  of  the  win- 
dows. 

The  Old  Woman,  however,  was  a  Witch  and  said  to  the 
maiden,  "  There  comes  a  man  out  of  the  forest,  who  has  a 
wonderful  treasure  in  his  body.  We  must  filch  it  from  him, 
my  dear  Daughter.  It  is  more  suitable  for  us  than  for  him. 
He  has  a  bird's  heart  about  him,  by  means  of  which  every  morn- 
ing, a  gold  piece  lies  under  his  pillow."  She  told  her  what  she 
was  to  do  to  get  it,  and  what  part  she  had  to  play,  and  finally 
threatened  her,  and  said  with  angry  eyes,  "  And  if  you  do  not 
attend  to  what  I  say,  it  will  be  the  worse  for  you." 

Now  when  the  huntsman  came  nearer  he  descried  the 
maiden,  and  said  to  himself,  "  I  have  traveled  about  for  such 
a  long  time,  I  will  take  a  rest  for  once,  and  enter  that  beautiful 
castle.  I  have  certainly  money  enough."  Nevertheless,  the 
real  reason  was  that  he  had  caught  sight  of  the  pretty  maiden. 

He  entered  the  house,  and  was  well  received  and  courteously 
entertained.  Before  long,  he  was  so  much  in  love  with  the 
young  Witch  that  he  no  longer  thought  of  anything  else,  and 
saw  things  as  she  saw  them,  and  did  what  she  desired. 

The  Old  Woman  then  said,  "  Now  we  must  have  the  bird's 
heart,  he  will  never  miss  it."  She  prepared  a  drink,  and  when 
it  was  ready,  poured  it  into  a  cup  and  gave  it  to  the  maiden, 
who  was  to  present  it  to  the  huntsman. 

She  did  so,  saying,  "  Now,  my  Dearest,  drink  to  me." 

So   he   took   the   cup,    and   when   he   had   swallowed   the 

[278] 


THE  DONKEY  CABBAGES 

draught,  he  brought  up  the  heart  of  the  bird.  The  girl  had  to 
take  it  away  secretly  and  swallow  it  herself,  for  the  Old 
Woman  would  have  it  so.  Thenceforward  he  found  no  more 
gold  under  his  pillow.  But  it  lay  instead  under  that  of  the 
maiden,  from  whence  the  Old  Woman  fetched  it  away  every 
morning.  But  he  was  so  much  in  love  and  so  befooled,  that  he 
thought  of  nothing  else  but  of  passing  his  time  with  the 
maiden. 

Then  the  old  Witch  said,  "  We  have  the  bird's  heart,  but  we 
must  also  take  the  Wishing-Cloak  away  from  him." 

The  maiden  answered,  "  We  will  leave  him  that;  he  has  lost 
his  wealth." 

The  Old  Woman  was  angry  and  said,  "  Such  a  mantle  is  a 
wonderful  thing,  and  is  seldom  to  be  found  in  this  world.  I 
must  and  will  have  it!"  She  gave  the  maiden  several  blows, 
and  said  that  if  she  did  not  obey,  it  should  fare  ill  with  her. 

So  she  did  the  Old  Woman's  bidding,  placed  herself  at  the 
window  and  looked  on  the  distant  country,  as  if  she  were  very 
sorrowful. 

The  huntsman  asked,  "  Why  do  you  stand  there  so  sorrow- 
fully?" 

"  Ah,  my  Beloved,"  was  her  answer,  "  over  yonder  lies  the 
Garnet  Mountain,  where  the  precious  stones  grow.  I  long  for 
them  so  much  that  when  I  think  of  them,  I  feel  quite  sad,  but 
who  can  get  them?  Only  the  birds;  they  fly  and  can  reach 
them,  but  a  man  never." 

"  Have  you  nothing  else  to  complain  of? "  said  the  hunts- 
man.   "  I  will  soon  remove  that  burden  from  your  heart." 

With  that  he  drew  her  under  his  mantle,  wished  himself  on 

[279] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

the  Garnet  Mountain.  In  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  they  were 
sitting  on  it  together.  Precious  stones  were  glistening  on  every 
side,  so  that  it  was  a  joy  to  see  them.  Together  they  gathered 
the  finest  and  costliest  of  them. 

Now,  the  Old  Woman  had,  through  her  sorceries,  contrived 
that  the  eyes  of  the  huntsman  should  become  heavy.  He  said 
to  the  maiden,  "  We  will  sit  down  and  rest  a  while.  I  am  so 
tired,  that  I  can  no  longer  stand  on  my  feet." 

Then  they  sat  down,  and  he  laid  his  head  in  her  lap,  and  fell 
asleep.  When  he  was  asleep,  she  unfastened  the  mantle  from 
his  shoulders,  and  wrapped  herself  in  it,  picked  up  the  garnets 
and  stones,  and  wished  herself  back  at  home  with  them. 

But  when  the  huntsman  had  had  his  sleep  out,  he  awoke,  and 
perceived  that  his  sweetheart  had  betrayed  him,  and  left  him 
alone  on  the  wild  mountain.  Then  he  said,  "  Oh,  what  treach- 
ery there  is  in  the  world! "  and  sat  there  in  care  and  sorrow, 
not  knowing  what  to  do. 

But  the  mountain  belonged  to  some  wild  and  monstrous 
Giants,  who  dwelt  thereon  and  lived  their  lives  there,  and  he 
had  not  sat  long,  before  he  saw  three  of  them  coming  toward 
him.  The  Giants  came  up,  and  the  first  kicked  him  with  his 
foot  and  said,  "  What  sort  of  an  earthworm  is  lying  curled  up 
here? " 

The  second  said,  "  Step  upon  him  and  kill  him." 

But  the  third  said,  "  Would  that  be  worth  your  while?  Let 
him  live,  he  cannot  remain  here.  When  he  climbs  higher,  to- 
ward the  summit  of  the  mountain,  the  clouds  will  lay  hold  of 
him  and  bear  him  away."     So  saying  they  passed  by. 

But  the  huntsman  had  paid  heed  to  their  words,  and  as  soon 

[  280  ] 


THE  DONKEY  CABBAGES 

as  they  were  gone,  he  rose  and  climbed  up  to  the  summit  of  the 
mountain.  And  when  he  had  sat  there  a  while,  a  cloud  floated 
toward  him,  caught  him  up,  carried  him  away,  and  traveled 
about  for  a  long  time  in  the  heavens.  Then  it  sank  lower,  and 
let  itself  down  on  a  great  cabbage-garden,  girt  round  by  walls, 
so  that  he  came  softly  to  the  ground  on  cabbages  and  vege- 
tables. 

Then  the  huntsman  looked  about  him,  and  said,  "  If  I  only 
had  something  to  eat!  I  am  so  hungry,  and  my  hunger  will 
grow  greater.  But  I  see  here  neither  apples  nor  pears,  nor 
any  other  sort  of  fruit,  everywhere  there  is  nothing  but  cab- 
bages." At  length  he  thought,  "At  a  pinch  I  can  eat  some  of 
the  leaves.  They  do  not  taste  particularly  good,  but  they  will 
refresh  me." 

With  that  he  picked  himself  out  a  fine  head  of  cabbage,  and 
ate  it.  But  scarcely  had  he  swallowed  a  couple  of  mouthfuls, 
when  wonderful !  he  felt  quite  changed. 

Four  legs  grew  on  him,  a  large  head  and  two  thick  ears ;  and 
he  saw  with  horror  that  he  was  changed  into  a  Donkey.  Still 
as  his  hunger  became  greater  every  minute,  and  as  the  juicy 
leaves  were  suitable  to  his  present  nature,  he  went  on  eating 
with  great  zest.  At  last  he  arrived  at  a  different  kind  of  cab- 
bage, but  as  soon  as  he  had  swallowed  it,  he  again  felt  a  change, 
and  resumed  his  human  shape. 

Then  the  huntsman  lay  down,  and  slept  off  his  fatigue. 
When  he  awoke  next  morning,  he  broke  off  one  head  of  the 
bad  cabbages  and  another  of  the  good  ones,  and  thought  to 
himself,  "  This  shall  help  me  to  get  my  own  again  and  punish 

treachery." 

[  281  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Then  he  took  the  cabbages  with  him,  climbed  over  the  wall, 
and  went  forth  to  seek  for  the  castle  of  his  sweetheart. 

After  wandering  about  for  a  couple  of  days,  he  was  lucky 
enough  to  find  it  again.  He  dyed  his  face  brown,  so  that  his 
own  mother  would  not  have  known  him;  and  begged  for  shel- 
ter.   "  I  am  so  tired,"  said  he,  "  that  I  can  go  no  further." 

The  Witch  asked,  "  Who  are  you,  Countryman,  and  what 
is  your  business? " 

Said  he,  "  I  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  find  the  most  won- 
derful salad  which  grows  under  the  sun,  and  am  carrying  it 
about  with  me." 

When  the  Old  Woman  heard  of  the  exquisite  salad,  she  was 
greedy,  and  said,  "  Dear  Countryman,  let  me  just  taste  this 
wonderful  salad." 

"  Why  not?  "  answered  he,  "  I  have  brought  two  heads  with 
me,  and  will  give  you  one  of  them,"  and  he  opened  his  pouch 
and  handed  her  the  bad  cabbage. 

The  Witch  suspected  nothing  amiss,  and  her  mouth  watered 
so  for  this  new  dish,  that  she  herself  went  into  the  kitchen  and 
prepared  it.  When  it  was  ready  she  could  not  wait  until  it  was 
set  on  the  table,  but  took  a  couple  of  leaves  at  once,  and  put 
them  in  her  mouth.  Hardly  had  she  swallowed  them,  than  she 
was  deprived  of  her  human  shape,  and  she  ran  out  into  the 
courtyard  in  the  form  of  a  Donkey. 

Presentlv  the  maid-servant  entered  the  kitchen,  saw  the 

salad  standing  there  ready  prepared,  and  was  about  to  carry 

it  up.    But  on  the  way,  according  to  habit,  she  was  seized  by 

the  desire  to  taste,  and  she  ate  a  couple  of  leaves.     Instantly 

the  magic  power  showed  itself,  and  she  likewise  became  a 

[282] 


THE  DONKEY  CABBAGES 

Donkey,  and  ran  out  to  the  Old  Woman.  And  the  dish  of 
salad  fell  to  the  ground. 

Meantime  the  huntsman  sat  beside  the  beautiful  maiden, 
and  as  no  one  came  with  the  salad  and  she  also  was  long- 
ing for  it,  she  said,  "  I  don't  know  what  has  become  of  the 
salad." 

The  huntsman  thought,  "  The  salad  must  have  already 
taken  effect,"  and  said,  "  I  will  go  to  the  kitchen  and  inquire 
about  it." 

As  he  went  down  he  saw  the  two  Donkeys  running  about  in 
the  courtyard.  The  salad,  however,  was  lying  on  the  ground. 
"  All  right,"  said  he,  "  the  two  have  taken  their  portion,"  and 
he  picked  up  the  other  leaves,  laid  them  on  the  dish,  and  carried 
them  to  the  maiden.  "  I  bring  you  the  delicate  food  myself," 
said  he,  "  in  order  that  you  may  not  have  to  wait  longer." 

Then  she  ate  of  it,  and  was,  like  the  others,  immediately  de- 
prived of  her  human  form,  and  ran  out  into  the  courtyard  in 
the  shape  of  a  Donkey. 

After  the  huntsman  had  washed  his  face,  so  that  the  trans- 
formed ones  could  recognize  him,  he  went  down  into  the  court- 
yard, and  said,  "  Now  you  shall  receive  the  wages  of  your 
treachery,"  and  bound  them  together,  all  three  with  one  rope, 
and  drove  them  along  until  he  came  to  a  mill. 

He  knocked  at  the  window,  the  miller  put  out  his  head,  and 
asked  what  he  wanted.  "  I  have  three  unmanageable  beasts," 
answered  he,  "  which  I  don't  want  to  keep  any  longer.  Will 
you  take  them  in,  and  give  them  food  and  stable  room,  and 
manage  them  as  I  tell  you?    Then  I  will  pay  you  what  you 

ask." 

[283] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

The  miller  said,  "  Why  not?  But  how  am  I  to  manage 
them?" 

The  huntsman  then  said  that  he  was  to  give  three  beatings 
and  one  meal  daily  to  the  old  Donkey,  and  that  was  the  Witch; 
one  beating  and  three  meals  to  the  younger  one,  which  was  the 
servant-girl;  and  to  the  youngest,  which  was  the  maiden,  no 
beatings  and  three  meals,  for  he  could  not  bring  himself  to 
have  the  maiden  beaten.  After  that  he  went  back  into  the 
castle,  and  found  therein  everything  he  needed. 

After  a  couple  of  days,  the  miller  came  and  said  he  must 
inform  him  that  the  old  Donkey  which  had  received  three  beat- 
ings and  only  one  meal  daily,  was  dead;  "  the  two  others,"  he 
continued,  "  are  certainly  not  dead,  and  are  fed  three  times 
daily,  but  they  are  so  sad  that  they  cannot  last  much  longer." 

The  huntsman  was  moved  to  pity,  put  away  his  anger,  and 
told  the  miller  to  drive  them  back  again  to  him.  And  when 
they  came,  he  gave  them  some  of  the  good  salad,  so  that  they 
became  human  again. 

The  beautiful  maiden  fell  on  her  knees  before  him,  and  said, 
"  Ah,  my  Beloved,  forgive  me  for  the  evil  I  have  done  you. 
My  mother  drove  me  to  it.  It  was  done  against  my  will,  for 
I  love  you  dearly.  Your  Wishing-Cloak  hangs  in  a  cupboard, 
and  as  for  the  Bird's-Heart  I  will  take  a  potion  and  bring  it  up 
again." 

But  he  thought  otherwise,  and  said,  "  Keep  it.  It  is  all  the 
same,  for  I  will  take  you  for  my  true  wife." 

So  the  wedding  was  celebrated,  and  they  lived  happily  to- 
gether until  their  death. 

[284] 


CLEVER  HANS 


THE  mother  of  Hans  said,  "  Whither  away,  Hans?  " 
Hans  answered,  "  To  Grethel." 
"  Behave  well,  Hans." 
"  Oh,  I'll  behave  well.    Good-bye,  Mother." 
"  Good-bye,  Hans." 

Hans  comes  to  Grethel,    "  Good  dav,  Grethel." 
"  Good  day,  Hans.    What  do  you  bring  that  is  good?  " 
"  I  bring  nothing,  I  want  to  have  something  given  me." 
Grethel  presents  Hans  with  a  needle. 
Hans  says,  "  Good-bye,  Grethel." 
"  Good-bye,  Hans." 

Hans  takes  the  needle,  sticks  it  into  a  hay-cart,  and  follows 
the  cart  home.    "  Good  evening,  Mother." 

"  Good  evening,  Hans.    Where  have  you  been?  " 

"  With  Grethel." 

"  What  did  you  take  her?  " 

"  Took  nothing;  had  something  given  me." 

"  What  did  Grethel  give  you?  " 

[285] 


<c 


<< 


<< 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"  Gave  me  a  needle." 

"  Where  is  the  needle,  Hans?  " 

"  Stuck  in  the  hay-cart." 

'  That  was  ill  done,  Hans.    You  should  have  stuck  the  needle 
in  your  sleeve." 

"  Never  mind,  I'll  do  better  next  time." 


II 

Whither  away,  Hans? " 

To  Grethel,  Mother." 

Behave  well,  Hans." 

Oh,  I'll  behave  well.    Good-bye,  Mother." 
"  Good-bye,  Hans."  „ 

Hans  comes  to  Grethel.    "  Good  dav,  Grethel." 
"  Good  day,  Hans.    What  do  you  bring  that  is  good?  " 
"  I  bring  nothing,  I  want  to  have  something  given  me." 
Grethel  presents  Hans  with  a  knife. 
"  Good-bye,  Grethel." 
"  Good-bye,  Hans." 

Hans  takes  the  knife,  sticks  it  in  his  sleeve,  and  goes  home. 
"  Good  evening,  Mother." 

"  Good  evening,  Hans.    Where  have  you  been?  " 
"  With  Grethel." 
"  What  did  you  take  her?  " 
"  Took  her  nothing,  she  gave  me  something.' 
"  What  did  Grethel  give  you?  " 
"  Gave  me  a  knife." 

"  Where  is  the  knife,  Hans?  " 

[286] 


>» 


19 


CLEVER  HANS 

"  Stuck  it  in  my  sleeve." 

"  That's  ill  done,  Hans,  you  should  have  put  the  knife  in 
your  pocket." 

"  Never  mind,  will  do  better  next  time." 


Ill 

"  Whither  away,  Hans  ?  " 

"  To  Grethel,  Mother." 

"  Behave  well,  Hans." 

"  Oh,  I'll  behave  well.    Good-bye,  Mother." 

"  Good-bye,  Hans." 

Hans  comes  to  Grethel.    "  Good  day,  Grethel." 

"  Good  day,  Hans.    What  good  thing  do  you  bring? 

"  I  bring  nothing.    I  want  something  given  me." 

Grethel  presents  Hans  with  a  young  goat. 

Good-bye,  Grethel." 

Good-bye,  Hans." 
Hans  takes  the  goat,  ties  its  legs,  and  puts  it  in  his  pocket. 
When  he  gets  home  it  is  suffocated. 
"  Good  evening,  Mother." 
"  Good  evening,  Hans.    Where  have  you  been? 
"  With  Grethel." 

What  did  you  take  her?  " 

Took  nothing,  she  gave  me  something." 

What  did  Grethel  give  you?  " 
"  She  gave  me  a  goat." 
"  Where  is  the  goat,  Hans?  " 

"  Put  it  in  my  pocket." 

[  287  ] 


<< 


<< 


>» 


tt 


« 


a 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

"  That  was  ill  done,  Hans,  you  should  have  put  a  rope  round 
the  goat's  neck." 

"  Never  mind,  will  do  better  next  time." 

IV 

"Whither  away,  Hans?" 

"  To  Grethel,  Mother." 

"  Behave  well,  Hans." 

"  Oh,  I'll  behave  well.    Good-bye,  Mother." 

"  Good-bye,  Hans." 

Hans  comes  to  Grethel.    "  Good  day,  Grethel." 

"  Good  day,  Hans.    What  good  thing  do  you  bring?  " 

"  I  bring  nothing,  I  want  something  given  me." 

Grethel  presents  Hans  with  a  piece  of  bacon. 

"  Good-bye,  Grethel." 

"  Good-bve,  Hans." 

Hans  takes  the  bacon,  ties  it  to  a  rope,  and  drags  it  away 
behind  him.  The  dogs  come  and  devour  the  bacon.  When  he 
gets  home,  he  has  the  rope  in  his  hand,  and  there  is  no  longer 
anything  hanging  to  it. 

"  Good  evening,  Mother." 

"  Good  evening,  Hans.    Where  have  you  been?  " 

"  With  Grethel."  j 

"What  did  you  take  her?" 

"  I  took  her  nothing,  she  gave  me  something." 

"  What  did  Grethel  give  you?  "  I 

"  Gave  me  a  bit  of  bacon." 

"  Where  is  the  bacon,  Hans?  " 

"  I  tied  it  to  a  rope,  brought  it  home,  dogs  took  it." 

[  288  ] 


CLEVER  HANS 

"  That  was  ill  done,  Hans,  you  should  have  carried  the  bacon 
on  your  head." 

"  Never  mind,  will  do  better  next  time." 

V 

"Whither  away,  Hans?" 

"  To  Grethel,  Mother." 

"  Behave  well,  Hans." 

"  I'll  behave  well.    Good-bye,  Mother." 

"  Good-bye,  Hans." 

Hans  comes  to  Grethel.    "  Good  day,  Grethel." 

"  Good  day,  Hans.    What  good  thing  do  you  bring?  " 

"  I  bring  nothing,  but  would  have  something  given  me." 

Grethel  presents  Hans  with  a  calf. 

"  Good-bye,  Grethel." 

"  Good-bye,  Hans." 

Hans  takes  the  calf,  puts  it  on  his  head,  and  the  calf  kicks  his 
face. 

"  Good  evening,  Mother." 

"  Good  evening,  Hans.    Where  have  you  been?  " 

"  With  Grethel." 

"  What  did  you  take  her?  " 

"  I  took  nothing,  but  had  something  given  me." 

"  What  did  Grethel  give  you?  " 

"  A  calf." 

"  Where  have  you  the  calf,  Hans?  " 

"  I  set  it  on  my  head  and  it  kicked  my  face." 

"  That  was  ill  done,  Hans,  you  should  have  led  the  calf,  and 
put  it  in  the  stall." 

"  Never  mind,  will  do  better  next  time." 

[289] 


>> 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

VI 

"  Whither  away,  Hans?  " 

"  To  Grethel,  Mother." 

"  Behave  well,  Hans." 

"  I'll  behave  well.    Good-bye,  Mother." 

"  Good-bye,  Hans." 

Hans  comes  to  Grethel.    "  Good  day,  Grethel." 

"  Good  day,  Hans.    What  good  thing  do  you  bring?  " 

"  I  bring  nothing,  but  would  have  something  given  me." 

Grethel  says  to  Hans,  "  I  will  go  with  you." 

Hans  takes  Grethel,  ties  her  to  a  rope,  leads  her  to  the  rack, 
and  binds  her  fast.    Then  Hans  goes  to  his  mother. 

"  Good  evening,  Mother." 

"  Good  evening,  Hans.    Where  have  you  been? 

"  With  Grethel." 

"  What  did  you  take  her? 

"  I  took  her  nothing." 

"  What  did  Grethel  give  you?  " 

"  She  gave  me  nothing,  she  came  with  me." 

"  Where  have  you  left  Grethel  ?  " 

"  I  led  her  by  the  rope,  tied  her  to  the  rack,  and  scattered 
some  grass  for  her." 

"  That  was  ill  done,  Hans,  you  should  have  cast  friendly  eyes 
on  her." 

"  Never  mind,  will  do  better." 

Hans  went  into  the  stable,  cut  out  all  the  calves'  and  sheep's 

eyes,  and  threw  them  in  Grethel's  face.    Then  Grethel  became 

angry,  tore  herself  lose  and  ran  away,  and  became  the  Bride  of 

Hans. 

[290] 


>» 


THE  IRON  STOVE 


IN  the  days  when  wishing  was  having,  a  King's  Son  was 
enchanted  by  an  old  Witch,  and  shut  up  in  an  Iron  Stove 
in  a  forest.  There  he  passed  many  years,  and  no  one  could 
deliver  him. 

Then  a  King's  Daughter  came  into  the  forest,  who  had  lost 
herself  and  could  not  find  her  father's  kingdom  again.  After 
she  had  wandered  about  for  nine  days,  she  at  length  came  to 
the  Iron  Stove.  Then  a  voice  issued  from  it,  and  asked  her, 
"  Whence  come  you,  and  whither  go  you?  " 

She  answered,  "  I  have  lost  my  father's  kingdom,  and  can- 
not get  home  again." 

Then  a  voice  inside  the  Iron  Stove  said,  "  I  will  help  you  to 
get  home,  and  that  indeed  most  swiftly,  if  you  will  promise  to 
do  what  I  desire  of  you.  I  am  the  son  of  a  far  greater  King 
than  your  father,  and  I  will  marry  you." 

Then  was  she  afraid,  and  thought,  "Alas !  What  use  could  I 
have  with  an  Iron  Stove? "  But  as  she  much  wished  to  get 
home  to  her  father,  she  promised  to  do  as  he  desired. 

He  said,  "  You  shall  return  here,  and  bring  a  knife  with 

you,  and  scrape  a  hole  in  the  iron." 

[  291  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Then  he  gave  her  a  companion  who  walked  near  her,  but  did 
not  speak.  In  two  hours  he  took  her  home.  There  was  great 
joy  in  the  castle  when  the  King's  Daughter  came  back,  and 
the  old  King  fell  on  her  neck,  and  kissed  her. 

She,  however,  was  sorely  troubled,  and  said,  "  Dear  Father, 
what  I  have  suffered!  I  should  never  have  got  home  again 
from  the  great  wild  forest,  if  I  had  not  come  to  an  Iron  Stove. 
But  I  have  been  forced  to  give  my  word  that  I  will  go  back  to 
it,  set  it  free,  and  marry  it." 

Then  the  old  King  was  so  terrified  that  he  all  but  fainted, 
for  he  had  only  this  one  daughter.  They,  therefore,  resolved 
they  would  send,  in  her  place,  the  miller's  daughter,  who  was 
very  beautiful.  They  took  her  there,  gave  her  a  knife,  and  said 
she  was  to  scrape  at  the  Iron  Stove.  So  she  scraped  at  it  for 
four-and-twenty  hours,  but  could  not  bring  off  the  least  morsel 
of  it. 

When  day  dawned,  a  voice  in  the  stove  said,  "  It  seems  to 
me  it  is  day  outside." 

Then  she  answered,  "  It  seems  so  to  me  too.  I  fancy  I  hear 
the  noise  of  my  father's  mill." 

"  So  you  are  a  miller's  daughter!  Then  go  your  way  at 
once.    Let  the  King's  Daughter  come  here." 

She  went  away  at  once,  and  told  the  old  King  that  the  man 
outside  there  would  have  none  of  her— he  wanted  the  King's 
Daughter. 

They,  however,  still  had  a  swineherd's  daughter,  who  was 
even  prettier  than  the  miller's  daughter,  and  they  determined 
to  give  her  a  piece  of  gold  to  go  to  the  Iron  Stove,  instead  of 

the  King's  Daughter.    So  she  was  taken  thither,  and  she  also 

[  292  ] 


THE  IRON  STOVE 

had  to  scrape  for  four-and-twenty  hours.  She,  likewise,  made 
nothing  of  it. 

When  day  broke,  a  voice  inside  the  stove  cried,  "  It  seems  to 
me  it  is  day  outside !  " 

Then  answered  she,  "  So  it  seems  to  me.  I  fancy  I  hear  my 
father's  horn  blowing." 

"  Then  you  are  a  swineherd's  daughter!  Go  away  at  once. 
Tell  the  King's  Daughter  to  come,  and  tell  her  all  must  be 
done  as  was  promised.  And  if  she  does  not  come,  everything 
in  the  kingdom  shall  be  ruined,  and  destroyed,  and  not  one 
stone  be  left  standing  on  another." 

When  the  King's  Daughter  heard  that,  she  began  to  weep. 
But  now  there  was  nothing  for  it  but  to  keep  her  promise.  So 
she  took  leave  of  her  father,  put  a  knife  in  her  pocket,  and 
went  forth  to  the  Iron  Stove  in  the  forest. 

When  she  got  there,  she  began  to  scrape,  and  the  iron  gave 
way,  and  when  two  hours  were  over,  she  had  already  scraped 
a  small  hole.  Then  she  peeped  in,  and  saw  a  youth  so  hand- 
some, and  so  brilliant  with  gold  and  with  precious  jewels, 
that  her  very  soul  was  delighted.  Therefore,  she  went  on 
scraping,  and  made  the  hole  so  large  that  he  was  able  to  get 
out. 

Then  said  he,  "  You  are  mine,  and  I  am  yours.  You  are  my 
Bride,  and  have  released  me." 

He  wanted  to  take  her  away  with  him  to  his  kingdom,  but 
she  entreated  him  to  let  her  go  once  again  to  her  father.  The 
King's  Son  allowed  her  to  do  so,  but  she  was  not  to  say  more 
to  her  father  than  three  words,  and  then  she  was  to  come  back 


again. 


[  293  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

So  she  went  home,  but  she  spoke  more  than  three  words,  and 
instantly  the  Iron  Stove  disappeared,  and  was  taken  far  awajr 
over  glass  mountains  and  piercing  swords.  But  the  King's 
Son  was  set  free,  and  no  longer  shut  up  in  it. 

After  this,  she  bade  good-bye  to  her  father,  took  some  money 
with  her,  but  not  much,  and  went  back  to  the  great  forest,  and 
looked  for  the  Iron  Stove,  but  it  was  nowhere  to  be  found. 
For  nine  days  she  sought  it.  Then  her  hunger  grew  so  great 
that  she  did  not  know  what  to  do,  for  she  could  no  longer  live. 

When  it  was  evening,  she  seated  herself  in  a  small  tree,  and 
made  up  her  mind  to  spend  the  night  there,  as  she  was  afraid 
of  wild  beasts.  When  midnight  drew  near,  she  saw  in  the  dis- 
tance a  small  light,  and  thought,  "  Ah,  there  I  may  be  saved!  " 
She  got  down  from  the  tree,  and  went  toward  the  light,  and  on 
the  way  she  prayed.  Then  she  came  to  a  little  old  house,  and 
much  grass  had  grown  all  about  it,  and  a  small  heap  of  wood 
lay  in  front  of  it. 

She  thought,  "Ah,  whither  have  I  come!"  and  peeped  in 
through  the  window.  But  she  saw  nothing  inside  but  Toads, 
big  and  little,  except  a  table  covered  with  wine  and  roast  meat, 
while  the  plates  and  glasses  were  of  silver.  Then  she  took 
courage,  and  knocked  at  the  door.    The  fat  Toad  cried: 

"Little  green  Waiting-Maid, 
Waiting-Maid  with  the  limping  leg, 
Little  Dog  of  the  limping  leg, 
Hop  hither  and  thither, 
And  quickly  see  who  is  without!" 

and  a  small  Toad  came  along  and  opened  the  door  to  her. 

When  she  entered,  they  all  bade  her  welcome,  and  she  was 

[294] 


THEN  THE  KING  S  DAUGHTER  CAME  TO    A  LITTLE  HOUSE 


THE  IRON  STOVE 

forced  to  sit  down.  They  asked,  "  Where  have  you  come  from, 
and  whither  are  you  going?  " 

Then  she  related  all  that  had  befallen  her,  and  how  because 
she  had  disobeyed  the  order  which  had  been  given  her  not  to 
say  more  than  three  words,  the  stove,  and  the  King's  Son  also, 
had  disappeared,  and  now  she  was  seeking  him  over  hill  and 
dale  until  she  found  him.    At  that,  the  old  fat  one  said: 

"Little  green  Waiting-Maid, 
Waiting-Maid  with  the  limping  leg, 
Little  Dog  of  the  limping  leg, 
Hop  hither  and  thither, 
And  bring  me  the  great  box." 

Then  the  little  one  went  and  brought  the  box.  After  this  they 
gave  her  meat  and  drink,  and  took  her  to  a  well-made  bed, 
which  felt  like  silk  and  velvet.  She  laid  herself  therein,'  in 
God's  name,  and  slept. 

When  morning  came  she  arose,  and  the  old  Toad  gave  her 
three  needles  out  of  the  great  box,  which  she  was  to  take  with 
her;  they  would  be  needed  by  her,  for  she  had  to  cross  a  high 
Glass  Mountain,  and  go  over  three  piercing  swords  and  a  great 
lake.  If  she  did  all  this,  she  would  get  her  lover  back  again. 
Then  she  gave  her  three  things,  which  she  was  to  take  the  great- 
est care  of,  namely,  three  large  needles,  a  plough-wheel,  and 
three  nuts. 

With   these   she   traveled   onwards,    and   when   she   came 

to  the  Glass  Mountain,  which  was  so  slippery,  she  stuck  the 

three  needles  first  behind  her  feet  and  then  before  them,  and 

so  got  over  it.     And  when  she  was  over  it,  she  hid  them  in  a 

place  which  she  marked  carefully.    After  this  she  came  to  the 

[  295  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

three  piercing  swords,  and  then  she  seated  herself  on  her 
plough-wheel,  and  rolled  over  them.  At  last  she  arrived  in 
front  of  a  great  lake,  and  when  she  had  crossed  it,  she  came  to 
a  large  and  beautiful  castle. 

She  went  in  and  asked  for  a  place.  She  knew,  however,  that 
the  King's  Son  whom  she  had  released  from  the  Iron  Stove  in 
the  great  forest,  was  in  the  castle.  Then  she  was  taken  as  a 
scullery-maid  at  low  wages.  But,  already  the  King's  Son  had 
another  maiden  by  his  side,  whom  he  wanted  to  marry,  for  he 
thought  that  she  had  long  been  dead. 

In  the  evening,  when  she  had  washed  up  and  was  done,  she 
felt  in  her  pocket  and  found  the  three  nuts  which  the  old  Toad 
had  given  her.  She  cracked  one  with  her  teeth,  and  was  going 
to  eat  the  kernel,  when,  lo  and  behold,  there  was  a  stately  royal 
garment  in  it !  But  when  the  Bride  heard  of  this  she  came  and 
asked  for  the  dress,  and  wanted  to  buy  it,  and  said,  "  It  is  not 
a  dress  for  a  servant-girl." 

She  said,  no,  she  would  not  sell  it,  but  if  the  Bride  would 
grant  her  one  thing  she  should  have  it,  and  that  was,  leave  to 
sleep  one  night  in  her  Bridegroom's  chamber.  The  Bride  gave 
her  permission  because  the  dress  was  so  pretty,  and  she  had 
never  had  one  like  it. 

When  it  was  evening,  she  said  to  her  Bridegroom,  "  That 
silly  girl  will  sleep  in  your  room." 

"  If  you  are  willing  so  am  I,"  said  he. 

She,  however,  gave  him  a  glass  of  wine  in  which  she  had 
poured  a  sleeping-draught.  So  the  Bridegroom  and  the  scul- 
lery-maid went  to  sleep  in  the  room,  and  he  slept  so  soundly 

that  she  could  not  waken  him. 

[296] 


THE  IRON  STOVE 

She  wept  the  whole  night  and  cried,  "  I  set  you  free  when 
you  were  in  an  Iron  Stove  in  the  wild  forest.  I  sought  you, 
and  walked  over  a  Glass  Mountain,  and  three  sharp  swords, 
and  a  great  lake  before  I  found  you,  and  yet  you  will  not  hear 
me!" 

The  servants  sat  by  the  chamber-door,  and  heard  how  she 
thus  wept  the  whole  night  through,  and  in  the  morning  they 
told  it  to  their  lord. 

And  the  next  evening,  when  she  had  washed  up,  she  opened 
the  second  nut,  and  a  far  more  beautiful  dress  was  within  it. 
When  the  Bride  beheld  it,  she  wished  to  buy  that  also.  But  the 
girl  would  not  take  money,  and  begged  that  she  might  once 
again  sleep  in  the  Bridegroom's  chamber.  The  Bride,  however, 
gave  him  a  sleeping-drink,  and  he  slept  so  soundly  that  he  could 
hear  nothing. 

But  the  scullery-maid  wept  the  whole  night  long,  and  cried, 
"  I  set  you  free  when  you  were  in  an  Iron  Stove  in  the  wild 
forest.  I  sought  you,  and  walked  over  a  Glass  Mountain,  and 
over  three  sharp  swords  and  a  great  lake  before  I  found  you, 
and  yet  you  will  not  hear  me!  " 

The  servants  sat  by  the  chamber-door  and  heard  her  weeping 
the  whole  night  through,  and  in  the  morning  informed  their 
lord  of  it. 

And  on  the  third  evening,  when  she  had  washed  up,  she 
opened  the  third  nut,  and  within  it  was  a  still  more  beautiful 
dress  which  was  stiff  with  pure  gold. 

When  the  Bride  saw  that,  she  wanted  to  have  it,  but  the 

maiden  gave  it  up  only  on  condition  that  she  might  for  the 

third  time  sleep  in  the  Bridegroom's  apartment.    The  King's 

[  297  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Son  was,  however,  on  his  guard,  and  threw  the  sleeping- 
draught  away. 

Now,  therefore,  when  she  began  to  weep  and  to  cry,  "  Dear- 
est Love,  I  set  you  free  when  you  were  in  the  Iron  Stove  in  the 
terrible  wild  forest,"  the  King's  Son  leapt  up  and  said,  "  You 
are  the  true  one,  you  are  mine,  and  I  am  yours." 

Thereupon,  while  it  was  still  night,  he  got  into  a  carriage 
with  her,  and  they  took  away  the  false  Bride's  clothes  so  that 
she  could  not  get  up.  When  they  came  to  the  great  lake,  they 
sailed  across  it,  and  when  they  reached  the  three  sharp-cutting 
swords  they  seated  themselves  on  the  plough-wheel,  and  when 
they  got  to  the  Glass  Mountain  they  thrust  the  three  needles 
in  it.  And  so  at  length  they  reached  the  little  old  house.  But 
when  they  went  inside  that,  it  was  a  great  castle,  and  the  Toads 
were  all  disenchanted,  and  were  King's  children,  and  full  of 
happiness. 

Then  the  wedding  was  celebrated,  and  the  King's  Son  and 
the  Princess  remained  in  the  castle,  which  was  much  larger 
than  the  castles  of  their  fathers.  But,  as  the  old  King  grieved 
at  being  left  alone,  they  fetched  him  away,  and  brought  him  to 
live  with  them.  And  they  had  two  Kingdoms,  and  lived  to- 
gether happily  ever  afterward. 

A  Mouse  did  run, 
The  story's  done! 


[298] 


SWEET  PORRIDGE 

THERE  was  a  poor,  good  little  girl,  who  lived  alone 
with  her  mother,  and  they  had  nothing  more  to  eat. 
So   the   child  went   into   the   forest,   and   an   Old 
Woman  met  her,  who  knew  of  her  sorrow,  and  gave  her  a  Lit- 
tle Pot,  which,  when  she  said: 

"Boil,  Little  Pot,  boil!" 

would  cook  good  sweet  Porridge.    And  when  she  said: 

"Stop,  Little  Pot,  stop!" 

it  ceased  to  cook. 

The  little  girl  took  the  Pot  home  to  her  mother.  And  now 
they  were  freed  from  their  poverty  and  hunger,  and  ate  sweet 
Porridge  as  often  as  they  liked. 

Once  on  a  time,  when  the  little  girl  had  gone  out,  the  mother 

said: 

"Boil,  Little  Pot,  boil!" 

And  it  began  to  cook,  and  she  ate  till  she  was  satisfied.    Then 
she  wanted  the  Pot  to  stop  cooking,  but  did  not  know  the  word. 

So  it  went  on  cooking,  and  the  Porridge  rose  over  the  edge. 

[299] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

And  still  it  cooked  on  till  the  kitchen,  and  the  whole  house  was 
full,  and  then  the  next  house,  and  then  the  whole  street,  just 
as  if  it  wanted  to  satisfy  the  hunger  of  the  whole  world.  And 
there  was  the  greatest  trouble,  and  no  one  knew  how  to  stop  it. 
At  last,  when  only  a  single  house  was  left,  the  child  came 
home  and  just  said: 

"Stop,  Little  Pot,  stop!" 

and  it  stopped  cooking. 

And  whosoever  wished  to  return  to  the  town,  had  to  eat  his 
way  back. 


[3001 


SNOW-WHITE  AND  ROSE-RED 


THERE  was  once  a  poor  widow  who  lived  in  a  lonely 
cottage.  In  front  of  the  cottage  was  a  garden  wherein 
stood  two  rose-trees,  one  of  which  bore  white  and  the 
other  red  roses.  She  had  two  children  who  were  like  the  two 
rose-trees.  One  was  called  Snow- White,  and  the  other  Rose- 
Red. 

They  were  as  good  and  happy,  as  busy  and  cheerful  as  ever 
two  children  in  the  world  were,  only  Snow- White  was  more 
quiet  and  gentle  than  Rose-Red.  Rose-Red  liked  better  to 
run  about  in  the  meadows  and  fields  seeking  flowers  and  catch- 
ing butterflies.  But  Snow- White  sat  at  home  with  her  mother, 
and  helped  her  with  the  housework,  or  read  to  her  when  there 
was  nothing  to  do. 

The  two  children  were  so  fond  of  each  other,  that  they  al- 
ways held  each  other  by  the  hand  when  they  went  out  together. 
When  Snow- White  said,  "  We  will  not  leave  each  other,"  Rose- 
Red  answered,  "  Never  so  long  as  we  live."  And  their  mother 
would  add,  "  What  one  has,  she  must  share  with  the  other." 

They  often  ran  about  the  forest  alone  and  gathered  red 

[  301  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

berries.  Beasts  never  did  them  any  harm,  but  came  close  to 
them  trustfully.  The  little  hare  would  eat  a  cabbage-leaf  out 
of  their  hands,  the  roe  grazed  by  their  side,  the  stag  leapt 
merrily  by  them,  and  the  birds  sat  still  upon  the  boughs,  and 
sang  whatever  they  knew. 

No  mishap  overtook  them.  If  they  stayed  too  late  in  the 
forest,  and  night  came  on,  they  laid  themselves  down  near  one 
another  upon  the  moss,  and  slept  until  morning.  Their  mother 
knew  this,  and  had  no  worry  on  their  account. 

One  day,  when  they  had  spent  the  night  in  the  wood  and  the 
dawn  had  roused  them,  they  saw  a  beautiful  Child  in  a  shining 
white  dress  sitting  near  their  bed.  He  got  up  and  looked  quite 
kindly  at  them,  but  said  nothing  and  went  away  into  the  forest. 
And  when  they  looked  round,  they  found  that  they  had  been 
sleeping  quite  close  to  a  precipice,  and  would  certainly  have 
fallen  into  it  in  the  darkness,  if  they  had  gone  only  a  few  paces 
farther.  And  their  mother  told  them  that  it  must  have  been 
the  Angel  who  watches  over  good  children. 

Snow- White  and  Rose-Red  kept  their  mother's  little  cottage 
so  neat,  that  it  was  a  pleasure  to  look  inside  it.  In  the  summer, 
Rose-Red  took  care  of  the  house,  and  every  morning  laid  a 
wreath  of  flowers  by  her  mother's  bed  before  she  awoke,  in 
which  was  a  rose  from  each  tree.  In  the  winter,  Snow-White 
lit  the  fire  and  hung  the  kettle  on  the  hook.  The  kettle  was  of 
copper  and  shone  like  gold,  so  brightly  was  it  polished. 

In  the  evening,  when  the  snowflakes  fell,  the  mother  said, 
"  Go,  Snow-White,  and  bolt  the  door,"  and  then  they  sat  round 
the  hearth,  and  the  mother  took  her  spectacles  and  read  aloud 

out  of  a  large  book.     The  two  girls  listened  as  they  sat  and 

[302] 


SNOW-WHITE  AND  ROSE-RED 

span.  And  close  by  them  lay  a  lamb  upon  the  floor,  and  be- 
hind them  upon  a  perch  sat  a  white  dove  with  its  head  hidden 
beneath  its  wings. 

One  evening,  as  they  were  thus  sitting  comfortably  together, 
some  one  knocked  at  the  door  as  if  he  wished  to  be  let  in.  The 
mother  said,  "  Quick,  Rose-Red,  open  the  door,  it  must  be  a 
traveler  who  is  seeking  shelter." 

Rose-Red  went  and  pushed  back  the  bolt,  thinking  that  it 
was  a  poor  man,  but  it  was  not.  It  was  a  Bear  that  stretched 
his  broad,  black  head  within  the  door. 

Rose-Red  screamed  and  sprang  back,  the  lamb  bleated,  the 
dove  fluttered,  and  Snow- White  hid  herself  behind  her 
mother's  bed. 

But  the  Bear  began  to  speak  and  said,  "  Do  not  be  afraid. 
I  will  do  you  no  harm!  I  am  half-frozen,  and  only  want  to 
warm  myself  a  little  beside  you." 

"  Poor  Bear,"  said  the  mother,  "  lie  down  by  the  fire.  Only 
take  care  that  you  do  not  burn  your  coat."  Then  she  cried, 
"  Snow-White,  Rose-Red,  come  out,  the  Bear  will  do  you  no 
harm,  he  means  well." 

So  they  both  came  out,  and  by-and-by  the  lamb  and  dove 
came  nearer,  and  were  not  afraid  of  him. 

The  Bear  said,  "  Here,  Children,  knock  the  snow  out  of  my 
coat  a  little;  "  so  they  brought  the  broom  and  swept  the  Bear's 
hide  clean.  And  he  stretched  himself  by  the  fire  and  growled 
contentedly  and  comfortably. 

It  was  not  long  before  they  grew  quite  at  home,  and  played 

tricks  with  their  clumsy  guest.    They  tugged  at  his  hair  with 

their  hands,  put  their  feet  upon  his  back  and  rolled  him  about, 

[303] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

or  they  took  a  hazel-switch  and  beat  him,  and,  when  he  growled, 
they  laughed.  But  the  Bear  took  it  all  in  good  part,  only 
when  they  were  too  rough  he  called  out,  "  Leave  me  alive,  Chil- 
dren: 

" Snowy '-white,  Rosy-red, 
Will  you  beat  your  lover  dead?" 

When  it  was  bedtime,  and  the  others  went  to  sleep,  the 
mother  said  to  the  Bear,  "  You  may  lie  there  by  the  hearth,  and 
then  you  will  be  safe  from  the  cold  and  the  bad  weather." 

As  soon  as  day  dawned  the  two  children  let  him  out,  and  he 
trotted  across  the  snow  into  the  forest. 

Henceforth  the  Bear  came  every  evening  at  the  same  time, 
laid  himself  down  by  the  hearth,  and  let  the  children  amuse 
themselves  with  him  as  much  as  they  liked.  They  got  so  used 
to  him,  that  the  doors  were  never  fastened  until  their  black 
friend  had  arrived. 

When  spring  was  come  and  all  outside  was  green,  the  Bear 
said  one  morning  to  Snow- White,  "  Now  I  must  go  away,  and 
cannot  come  back  for  the  whole  summer." 

"  Where  are  you  going,  then,  dear  Bear? "  asked  Snow- 
White. 

"  I  must  go  into  the  forest  and  guard  my  treasures  from  the 

wicked  Dwarfs.    In  the  winter,  when  the  earth  is  frozen  hard, 

they  are  obliged  to  stay  below  and  cannot  work  their  way 

through.     But  now,  when  the  sun  has  thawed  and  warmed  the 

earth,  they  break  through  it,  and  come  out  to  pry  and  steal. 

And  what  once  gets  into  their  hands  and  in  their  caves,  does 

not  easily  see  daylight  again." 

Snow- White  was  very  sorry  for  his  going  away.     And  as 

[  304  ] 


SNOW-WHITE  AND  ROSE-RED 

she  unbolted  the  door  for  him,  and  the  Bear  was  hurrying  out, 
he  caught  against  the  bolt  and  a  piece  of  his  hairy  coat  was 
torn  off.  It  seemed  to  Snow- White  as  if  she  saw  gold  shining 
through  it,  but  she  was  not  sure  about  it.  The  Bear  ran  away 
quickly,  and  was  soon  out  of  sight  behind  the  trees. 

A  short  time  afterward,  the  mother  sent  her  children  into 
the  forest  to  get  fire-wood.  There  they  found  a  big  tree  which 
lay  felled  on  the  ground,  and  close  by  the  trunk  something  was 
jumping  backward  and  forward  in  the  grass.  But  they  could 
not  make  out  what  it  was. 

When  they  came  nearer  they  saw  a  Dwarf  with  an  old  with- 
ered face  and  a  snow-white  beard  a  yard  long.  The  end  of 
the  beard  was  caught  in  a  crevice  of  the  tree,  and  the  little 
fellow  was  jumping  backward  and  forward  like  a  dog  tied  to 
a  rope,  and  did  not  know  what  to  do. 

He  glared  at  the  girls  with  his  fiery  red  eyes  and  cried, 
"  Why  do  you  stand  there?  Can  you  not  come  here  and  help 
me?" 

"  What  are  you  about  there,  Little  Man?  "  asked  Rose-Red. 

"  You  stupid,  prying  goose!  "  answered  the  Dwarf;  "  I  was 
going  to  split  the  tree  to  get  a  little  wood  for  cooking.  The 
little  bit  of  food  that  one  of  us  wants  gets  burnt  up  directly 
with  thick  logs.  We  do  not  swallow  so  much  as  you  coarse, 
greedy  folk.  I  had  just  driven  the  wedge  safely  in,  and  every- 
thing was  going  as  I  wished;  but  the  wretched  wood  was  too 
smooth  and  suddenly  sprang  asunder,  and  the  tree  closed  so 
quickly  that  I  could  not  pull  out  my  beautiful  white  beard. 
So  now  it  is  tight  in,  and  I  cannot  get  away.    And  you  silly, 

sleek,  milk-faced  things  laugh !    Ugh !  how  odious  you  are ! '! 

[  305  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

The  children  tried  very  hard,  but  they  could  not  pull  the 
beard  out,  it  was  caught  too  fast. 

"  I  will  run  and  fetch  some  one,"  said  Rose-Red. 

"  You  senseless  goose!  "  snarled  the  Dwarf.  "  Why  should 
you  fetch  some  one?  You  are  already  two  too  many  for  me. 
Can  you  not  think  of  something  better?  " 

"  Don't  be  impatient,"  said  Snow-White,  "  I  will  help  you," 
and  she  pulled  her  scissors  out  of  her  pocket,  and  cut  off  the 
end  of  the  beard. 

As  soon  as  the  Dwarf  felt  himself  free,  he  grabbed  a  bag 
which  lay  amongst  the  roots  of  the  tree,  and  which  was  full  of 
gold,  and  lifted  it  up,  grumbling  to  himself,  "  Rude  people,  to 
cut  off  a  piece  of  my  fine  beard !  Bad  luck  to  you !  "  and  then 
he  swung  the  bag  upon  his  back,  and  went  off  without  even 
once  looking  at  the  children. 

Some  time  after  that  Snow- White  and  Rose-Red  went  to 
catch  a  dish  of  fish.  As  they  came  near  the  brook,  they  saw 
something  like  a  large  grasshopper  jumping  toward  the  water, 
as  if  it  were  going  to  leap  in.  They  ran  to  it  and  found  it  was 
the  Dwarf. 

"  Where  are  you  going?  "  said  Rose-Red;  "  you  surely  don't 
want  to  go  into  the  water?  " 

"  I  am  not  such  a  fool! "  cried  the  Dwarf;  "  don't  you  see 

that  the  accursed  fish  wants  to  pull  me  in?  "    The  Little  Man 

had  been  sitting  there  fishing,  and  unluckily  the  wind  had 

twisted  his  beard  with  the  fishing-line.    Just  then  a  big  fish  bit, 

and  the  feeble  creature  had  not  strength  to  pull  it  out.    The 

fish  kept  the  upper  hand  and  was  pulling  the  Dwarf  toward 

him.    He  held  on  to  all  the  reeds  and  rushes,  but  it  was  of  little 

[306] 


don't  be  impatient,"  said  snow-white,  "i  will  help  you" 


. 


SNOW-WHITE  AND  ROSE-RED 

good,  he  was  forced  to  follow  the  fish,  and  was  in  great  danger 
of  being  dragged  into  the  water. 

The  girls  came  just  in  time.  They  held  him  fast  and  tried 
to  free  his  beard  from  the  line.  But  all  in  vain,  beard  and  line 
were  entangled  fast  together.  Nothing  was  left  but  to  bring 
out  the  scissors  and  cut  the  beard,  whereby  a  small  part  of  it 
was  lost. 

When  the  Dwarf  saw  that,  he  screamed  out,  "  Is  that  civil, 
you  toadstool,  to  disfigure  one's  face?  Was  it  not  enough  to 
clip  off  the  end  of  my  beard?  Now  you  have  cut  off  the  best 
part  of  it.  I  cannot  let  myself  be  seen  by  my  people.  I  wish 
you  had  been  made  to  run  the  soles  off  your  shoes!  "  Then  he 
took  out  a  sack  of  pearls  which  lay  in  the  rushes,  and,  without 
saying  a  word  more,  he  dragged  it  away  and  disappeared  be- 
hind a  stone. 

It  happened  that  soon  afterward  the  mother  sent  the  two 
children  to  the  town  to  buy  needles  and  thread,  and  laces  and 
ribbons.  The  road  led  them  across  a  heath  upon  which  huge 
pieces  of  rock  lay  strewn  about.  They  now  noticed  a  large 
bird  hovering  in  the  air,  flying  slowly  round  and  round  above 
them.  It  sank  lower  and  lower,  and  at  last  settled  near  a  rock 
not  far  off.  Directly  afterward  they  heard  a  loud,  piteous  cry. 
They  ran  up  and  saw,  with  horror,  that  the  eagle  had  seized 
their  old  acquaintance  the  Dwarf,  and  was  going  to  carry  him 
off. 

The  children,  full  of  pity,  at  once  took  tight  hold  of  the 

Little  Man,  and  pulled  against  the  eagle  so  long  that  at  last 

he  let  his  booty  go. 

As  soon  as  the  Dwarf  had  recovered  from  his  first  fright,  he 

[307] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

cried  with  his  shrill  voice,  "  Could  you  not  have  done  it  more 
carefully!  You  dragged  at  my  brown  coat,  so  that  it  is  all 
torn  and  full  of  holes.  You  helpless,  clumsy  creatures ! " 
Then  he  took  up  a  sack  full  of  precious  stones,  and  slipped 
away  again  under  the  rock  into  his  hole. 

The  girls,  who  by  this  time  were  used  to  his  thanklessness, 
went  on  their  way  and  did  their  business  in  the  town. 

As  they  crossed  the  heath  again  on  their  way  home  they  sur- 
prised the  Dwarf,  who  had  emptied  out  his  bag  of  precious 
stones  in  a  clean  spot,  and  had  not  thought  that  any  one  would 
come  there  at  such  a  late  hour.  The  evening  sun  shone  upon 
the  brilliant  stones.  They  glittered  and  sparkled  with  all 
colors  so  beautifully,  that  the  children  stood  still  and  looked  at 
them. 

"  Why  do  you  stand  gaping  there? "  cried  the  Dwarf,  and 
his  ashen-gray  face  became  copper-red  with  rage.  He  was 
going  on  with  his  bad  words,  when  a  loud  growling  was  heard, 
and  a  black  Bear  came  trotting  toward  them  out  of  the  forest. 
The  Dwarf  sprang  up  in  a  fright,  but  he  could  not  get  to  his 
cave,  for  the  Bear  was  already  close. 

Then  in  the  fear  of  his  heart  he  cried,  "  Dear  Mr.  Bear, 
spare  me !  I  will  give  you  all  my  treasures !  Look,  the  beau- 
tiful jewels  lying  there!  Grant  me  my  life.  What  do  you  want 
with  such  a  slender  little  fellow  as  I?  You  would  not  feel  me 
between  your  teeth.  Come,  take  these  two  wicked  girls,  they 
are  tender  morsels  for  you,  fat  as  young  quails.  For  mercy's 
sake  eat  them! " 

The  Bear  took  no  heed  of  his  words,  but  gave  the  wicked 

creature  a  single  blow  with  his  paw,  and  he  did  not  move  again. 

[308] 


SNOW-WHITE  AND  ROSE-RED 

The  girls  had  run  away,  but  the  Bear  called  to  them,  "  Snow- 
White  and  Rose-Red,  do  not  be  afraid.  Wait,  I  will  come 
with  you." 

Then  they  knew  his  voice  and  waited.  And  when  he  came 
up  to  them,  suddenly  his  bear-skin  fell  off,  and  he  stood  there 
a  handsome  man,  clothed  all  in  gold. 

"  I  am  a  King's  Son,"  he  said,  "  and  I  was  bewitched  by  that 
wicked  Dwarf,  who  had  stolen  my  treasures.  I  have  had  to 
run  about  the  forest  as  a  savage  bear  until  I  was  freed  by  his 
death.    Now  he  has  got  his  well-deserved  punishment." 

Snow-White  was  married  to  him,  and  Rose-Red  to  his 
brother.  They  divided  between  them  the  great  treasure  which 
the  Dwarf  had  gathered  together  in  his  cave.  The  old  mother 
lived  peacefully  and  happily  with  her  children  for  many  years. 
She  took  the  two  rose-trees  with  her,  and  they  stood  before  her 
window,  and  every  year  bore  the  most  beautiful  roses,  white 
and  red. 


[309] 


THE  HEDGE-KING 

IN  former  days,  every  sound  had  its  meaning,  the  birds  also 
had  their  own  language  which  every  one  understood.  Now 
it  only  sounds  like  chirping,  screeching,  and  whistling,  and 
to  some,  like  music  without  words. 

It  came  into  the  birds'  mind,  however,  that  they  would  no 
longer  be  without  a  ruler,  and  would  choose  one  of  themselves 
to  be  King. 

One  alone  amongst  them,  the  green  plover,  was  opposed  to 
this.  He  had  lived  free  and  would  die  free,  and  anxiously 
flying  hither  and  thither,  he  cried,  "  Where  shall  I  go?  where 
shall  I  go?  "  He  retired  into  a  lonely  and  unfrequented  marsh, 
and  showed  himself  no  more  among  his  fellows. 

The  birds  now  wished  to  discuss  the  matter,  and  on  a  fine 
May  morning  they  all  gathered  together  from  the  woods  and 
fields:  eagles  and  chaffinches,  owls  and  crows,  larks  and  spar- 
rows, how  can  I  name  them  all?  Even  the  cuckoo  came,  and 
the  hoopoe,  his  clerks  who  is  so  called  because  he  is  always 
heard  a  few  days  before  him,  and  a  very  small  bird  which  as 

yet  had  no  name,  mingled  with  the  band. 

[310] 


THE  HEDGE-KING 

The  hen,  which  by  some  accident  had  heard  nothing  of  the 
whole  matter,  was  astonished  at  the  great  assemblage.  "  What, 
what,  what  is  going  to  be  done? "  she  cackled.  But  the  cock 
calmed  his  beloved  hen,  and  said,  "  Only  rich  people,"  and  told 
her  what  they  had  on  hand. 

It  was  decided,  however,  that  the  one  who  could  fly  the  high- 
est should  be  King.  A  tree-frog  which  was  sitting  among  the 
bushes,  when  he  heard  that,  cried  a  warning,  "  No,  no,  no!  no!  " 
because  he  thought  that  many  tears  would  be  shed  because  of 
this.  But  the  crow  said,  "  Caw,  caw,"  and  that  all  would  pass 
off  peaceably. 

It  was  now  determined  that,  on  this  fine  morning,  they 
should  at  once  begin  to  ascend,  so  that  hereafter  no  one  should 
be  able  to  say,  "  I  could  easily  have  flown  much  higher,  but  the 
evening  came  on,  and  I  could  do  no  more." 

On  a  given  signal,  therefore,  the  whole  troop  rose  up  in  the 
air.  The  dust  ascended  from  the  land,  and  there  was  tremen- 
dous fluttering  and  whirring  and  beating  of  wings.  It  looked 
as  if  a  black  cloud  was  rising  up.  The  little  birds  were,  how- 
ever, soon  left  behind.  They  could  go  no  farther,  and  fell  back 
to  the  ground. 

The  larger  birds  held  out  longer,  but  none  could  equal  the 
eagle,  who  mounted  so  high  that  he  could  have  picked  the  eyes 
out  of  the  sun.  And  when  he  saw  that  the  others  could  not 
get  up  to  him,  he  thought,  "  Why  should  I  fly  any  higher,  I 
am  the  King?  "  and  began  to  let  himself  down  again. 

The  birds  beneath  him  at  once  cried  to  him,  "  You  must  be 

our  King,  no  one  has  flown  so  high  as  you." 

"  Except  me,"  screamed  the  little  fellow  without  a  name, 

[311] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

who  had  crept  into  the  breast-feathers  of  the  eagle.  And  as 
he  was  not  at  all  tired,  he  rose  up  and  mounted  so  high  that  he 
reached  heaven  itself.  When,  however,  he  had  gone  as  far  as 
this,  he  folded  his  wings  together,  and  called  down  with  clear 
and  penetrating  voice: 

"I  am  King!    I  am  King!" 

"  You,  our  King?  "  cried  the  birds  angrily.  "  You  have  done 
this  by  trick  and  cunning!  " 

So  they  made  another  condition.  He  should  be  King  who 
could  go  down  lowest  in  the  ground.  How  the  goose  did  flap 
about  with  its  broad  breast  when  it  was  once  more  on  the  land ! 
How  quickly  the  cock  scratched  a  hole !  The  duck  came  off  the 
worst  of  all,  for  she  leapt  into  a  ditch,  but  sprained  her  legs, 
and  waddled  away  to  a  neighboring  pond,  crying,  "  Cheating, 
cheating! " 

The  little  bird  without  a  name,  however,  sought  out  a  mouse- 
hole,  slipped  down  into  it,  and  cried  out  of  it,  with  his  small 

voice : 

"I  am  King!    I  am  King!" 

"  You  our  King!  "  cried  the  birds  still  more  angrily.  "  Do 
you  think  your  cunning  shall  prevail?  " 

They  determined  to  keep  him  a  prisoner  in  the  hole  and 
starve  him  out.  The  owl  was  placed  as  sentinel  in  front  of  it, 
and  was  not  to  let  the  rascal  out  if  she  had  any  value  for  her 
life.  When  evening  was  come  all  the  birds  were  feeling  very 
tired  after  exerting  their  wings  so  much  that  they  went  to 
bed  with  their  wives  and  children. 

The    owl    alone    remained    standing    by    the    mouse-hole, 

[312] 


THE  HEDGE-KING 

gazing  steadfastly  into  it  with  her  great  eyes.  In  the  mean- 
time she,  too,  had  grown  tired  and  thought  to  herself,  "  You 
might  certainly  shut  one  eye,  you  will  still  watch  with  the  other, 
and  the  little  miscreant  shall  not  come  out  of  his  hole."  So 
she  shut  one  eye,  and  with  the  other  looked  straight  at  the 
mouse-hole. 

The  little  fellow  put  his  head  out  and  peeped,  and  wanted  to 
slip  away,  but  the  owl  came  forward,  and  he  drew  his  head 
back.  Then  the  owl  opened  the  one  eye  again,  and  shut 
the  other,  intending  to  shut  them  in  turn  all  through  the  night. 

But  when  she  next  shut  the  one  eye,  she  forgot  to  open  the 
other.  And  as  soon  as  both  her  eyes  were  shut,  she  fell  asleep 
The  little  fellow  soon  saw  that,  and  slipped  away. 

From  that  day  forth,  the  owl  has  never  dared  to  show  her- 
self by  daylight,  for  if  she  does  the  other  birds  chase  her  and 
pluck  her  feathers  out.  She  only  flies  out  by  night,  but  hates 
and  pursues  mice  because  they  make  such  ugly  holes. 

The  little  bird,  too,  is  very  unwilling  to  let  himself  be  seen, 
because  he  is  afraid  it  will  cost  him  his  life  if  he  is  caught. 
He  steals  about  in  the  hedges,  and  when  he  is  quite  safe,  he 
sometimes  cries,  "  I  am  King,"  and  for  this  reason,  the  other 
birds  call  him  in  mockery,  "  Hedge-King." 

No  one,  however,  was  so  happy  as  the  lark  at  not  having  to 
obey  the  little  King.  As  soon  as  the  sun  appears,  she  ascends 
high  in  the  air  and  cries,  "  Ah,  how  beautiful  that  is!  beautiful 
that  is!  beautiful,  beautiful!  ah,  how  beautiful  that  is! " 


[313) 


«*/ 


«**• 


ONE-EYE,  TWO-EYES,  AND  THREE-EYES 

THERE  was  once  a  woman  who  had  three  daughters, 
the  eldest  of  whom  was  called  One-Eye,  because  she 
had  only  one  eye  in  the  middle  of  her  forehead,  and 
the  second,  Two-Eyes,  because  she  had  two  eyes  like  other 
folks,  and  the  youngest,  Three-Eyes,  because  she  had  three 
eyes ;  and  her  third  eye  was  in  the  centre  of  her  forehead. 

Now,  as  Two-Eyes  saw  just  as  other  human  beings  did,  her 
sisters  and  her  mother  could  not  endure  her.  They  said  to 
her,  "  You,  with  your  two  eyes,  are  no  better  than  common 
folk.    You  do  not  belong  to  us!  " 

They  pushed  her  about,  and  threw  old  clothes  to  her,  and 
gave  her  nothing  to  eat  but  what  they  left,  and  did  everything 
that  they  could  to  make  her  unhappy. 

It  came  to  pass  that  Two-Eyes  had  to  go  out  into  the  fields 

and  tend  the  goat,  but  she  was  still  very  hungry,  because  her 

sisters  had  given  her  so  little  to  eat.    She  sat  down  on  a  ridge 

and  began  to  weep,  and  so  bitterly  that  two  streams  ran  down 

from  her  eyes. 

And  one  day,  when  she  looked  up  in  her  grief,  a  woman  was 

[314] 


ONE-EYE,  TWO-EYES,  AND  THREE-EYES 

standing  beside  her,  who  said,  "  Why  are  you  weeping,  little 
Two-Eyes? " 

Two-Eyes  answered,  "  Have  I  not  reason  to  weep,  when  I 
have  two  eyes  like  other  people,  and  my  sisters  and  mother  hate 
me  for  it,  and  push  me  from  one  corner  to  another,  throw  old 
clothes  at  me,  and  give  me  nothing  to  eat  but  the  scraps  they 
leave?  To-day,  they  have  given  me  so  little  that  I  am  still  very 
hungry." 

Then  the  Wise  Woman  said,  "  Wipe  away  your  tears,  Two- 
Eyes,  and  I  will  tell  you  something  to  stop  your  ever  suffering 
from  hunger  again;  just  say  to  your  goat: 

"  'Bleat,  bleat,  my  little  Goat,  bleat, 
Cover  the  table  with  something  to  eat!' 

and  then  a  clean  well-spread  little  table  will  stand  before  you, 
with  the  most  delicious  food  upon  it,  of  which  you  may  eat  as 
much  as  you  are  inclined.  And  when  you  have  had  enough,  and 
have  no  more  need  of  the  little  table,  just  say: 

"  'Bleat,  bleat,  my  little  Goat,  I  pray, 
And  take  the  table  quite  away!' 

and  then  it  will  vanish  again  from  your  sight." 

Hereupon  the  Wise  Woman  departed. 

But  Two-Eyes  thought,  "  I  must  instantly  make  a  trial,  and 
see  if  what  she  said  is  true,  for  I  am  far  too  hungry,"  and  she 
said: 

<(Bleat,  bleat,  my  little  Goat,  bleat, 
Cover  the  table  with  something  to  eat!" 

and  scarcely  had  she  spoken  the  words  than  a  little  table,  cov- 
ered with  a  white  cloth,  was  standing  there,  and  on  it  was  a 

[315] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

plate  with  a  knife  and  fork,  and  a  silver  spoon;  and  the  most 
delicious  food  was  there  also,  warm  and  smoking  as  if  it  had 
just  come  out  of  the  kitchen. 

Then  Two-Eyes  said  a  little  prayer  she  knew,  "  Lord  God, 
be  with  us  always,  Amen,"  and  helped  herself  to  some  food, 
and  enjoyed  it.  And  when  she  was  satisfied,  she  said,  as  the 
Wise  Woman  had  taught  her : 

"Bleat,  bleat,  my  little  Goat,  I  pray, 
And  take  the  table  quite  away!" 

and  immediately  the  little  table  and  everything  on  it  was  gone 
again. 

"  That  is  a  delightful  way  of  keeping  house!  "  thought  Two- 
Eyes,  and  was  quite  glad  and  happy. 

In  the  evening,  when  she  went  home  with  her  goat,  she  found 
a  small  earthenware  dish  with  some  food,  which  her  sisters  had 
set  ready  for  her,  but  she  did  not  touch  it.  Next  day,  she 
again  went  out  with  her  goat,  and  left  the  few  bits  of  broken 
bread  which  had  been  handed  to  her,  lying  untouched. 

The  first  and  second  time  that  she  did  this,  her  sisters  did 
not  notice  it,  but  as  it  happened  every  time,  they  did  observe  it, 
and  said,  "  There  is  something  wrong  about  Two-Eyes,  she 
always  leaves  her  food  untasted.  She  used  to  eat  up  every- 
thing that  was  given  her.  She  must  have  discovered  other 
ways  of  getting  food." 

In  order  that  they  might  learn  the  truth,  they  resolved  to 

send  One-Eye  with  Two-Eyes,  when  she  went  to  drive  her 

goat  to  the  pasture,  to  watch  what  Two-Eyes  did  while  she  was 

there,  and  whether  any  one  brought  her  things  to  eat  and  drink. 

[316] 


ONE-EYE,  TWO-EYES,  AND  THREE-EYES 

So  when  Two-Eyes  set  out  the  next  time,  One-Eye  went  to  her 
and  said,  "  I  will  go  with  you  to  the  pasture,  and  see  that  the 
goat  is  well  taken  care  of,  and  driven  where  there  is  food." 

But  Two-Eyes  knew  what  was  in  One-Eye's  mind,  and 
drove  the  goat  into  high  grass  and  said,  "  Come,  One-Eye,  we 
will  sit  down,  and  I  will  sing  something  to  you." 

One-Eye  sat  down,  and  was  tired  with  the  unaccustomed 
walk  and  the  heat  of  the  sun,  and  Two-Eyes  sang  constantly : 

'One-Eye,  wakest  thou? 
One-Eye,  steepest  thou?'* 

until  One-Eye  shut  her  one  eye,  and  fell  asleep.  As  soon  as 
Two-Eyes  saw  that  One-Eye  was  fast  asleep,  and  could  dis- 
cover nothing,  she  said: 

"Bleat,  bleat,  my  little  Goat,  bleat, 
Cover  the  table  with  something  to  eat!" 

and  seated  herself  at  her  table,  and  ate  and  drank  until  she  was 
satisfied.     Then  she  again  cried: 

"Bleat,  bleat,  my  little  Goat,  I  pray, 
And  take  the  table  quite  away!" 

and  in  an  instant  all  was  gone. 

Two-Eyes  now  awakened  One-Eye,  and  said,  "  One-Eye, 
you  want  to  take  care  of  the  goat,  and  yet  go  to  sleep  while  you 
are  doing  it !  In  the  meantime,  the  goat  might  run  all  over  the 
world.     Come,  let  us  go  home  again." 

So  they  went  home,  and  again  Two-Eyes  let  her  little  dish 

stand  untouched,  and  One-Eye  could  not  tell  her  mother  why 

[317] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

she  would  not  eat  it,  and  to  excuse  herself  said,  "  I  fell  asleep 
when  I  was  out." 

Next  day,  the  mother  said  to  Three-Eyes,  "  This  time  you 
shall  go  and  watch  if  Two-Eyes  eats  anything  when  she  is  out, 
and  if  any  one  fetches  her  food  and  drink,  for  she  must  eat  and 
drink  in  secret." 

So  Three-Eyes  went  to  Two-Eyes,  and  said,  "  I  will  go  with 
you  and  see  if  the  goat  is  taken  proper  care  of,  and  driven 
where  there  is  food." 

But  Two-Eyes  knew  what  was  in  Three-Eyes'  mind,  and 
drove  the  goat  into  high  grass  and  said,  "  We  will  sit  down, 
and  I  will  sing  something  to  you,  Three-Eyes." 

Three-Eyes  sat  down  and  was  tired  with  the  walk  and  with 
the  heat  of  the  sun,  and  Two-Eyes  began  the  same  song  as  be- 
fore, and  sang: 

"Three-Eyes,  are  you  waking?" 
but  then,  instead  of  singing, 

"Three-Eyes,  are  you  sleeping?" 
as  she  ought  to  have  done,  she  thoughtlessly  sang: 

"Two-Eyes,  are  you  sleeping?" 

and  sang  all  the  time, 

"Three-Eyes,  are  you  waking? 
Two-Eyes,  are  you  sleeping?" 

Then  two  of  the  eyes  which  Three-Eyes  had,  shut  and  fell 
asleep,  but  the  third,  as  it  had  not  been  named  in  the  song,  did 

not  sleep.    It  is  true  that  Three-Eyes  shut  it,  but  only  in  her 

[318] 


ONE-EYE,  TWO-EYES,  AND  THREE-EYES 

cunning,  to  pretend  it  was  asleep  too.  But  it  blinked,  and 
could  see  everything  very  well.  And  when  Two-Eyes  thought 
that  Three-Eyes  was  fast  asleep,  she  used  her  little  charm : 

"Bleat,  bleat,  my  little  Goat,  bleat, 
Cover  the  table  with  something  to  eat!" 

and  ate  and  drank  as  much  as  her  heart  desired,  and  then  or- 
dered the  table  to  go  away  again: 

"Bleat,  bleat,  my  little  Goat,  I  pray, 
And  take  the  table  quite  away!" 

and  Three-Eyes  had  seen  everything. 

Then  Two-Eyes  came  to  her,  waked  her  and  said,  "  Have 
you  been  asleep,  Three-Eyes?  You  are  a  good  caretaker! 
Come,  we  will  go  home." 

And  when  they  got  home,  Two-Eyes  again  did  not  eat,  and 

Three-Eyes  said  to  the  mother,  "  Now,  I  know  why  that  proud 

thing  there  does  not  eat.    When  she  is  out,  she  says  to  the 

goat: 

"  'Bleat,  bleat,  my  little  Goat,  bleat, 
Cover  the  table  with  something  to  eat!9 

and  then  a  little  table  appears  before  her  covered  with  the  best 
of  food,  much  better  than  any  we  have  here.  When  she  has 
eaten  all  she  wants,  she  says : 

"  'Bleat,  bleat,  my  little  Goat,  I  pray, 
And  take  the  table  quite  away!' 

and  all  disappears.     I  watched  everything  closely.     She  put 

two  of  my  eyes  to  sleep  by  using  a  charm,  but  luckily  the  one  in 

my  forehead  kept  awake." 

Then  the  envious  mother  cried,  "  Do  you  want  to  fare  better 

[319] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

than  we  do?  The  desire  shall  pass  away! "  and  she  fetched  a 
butcher's  knife,  and  thrust  it  into  the  heart  of  the  goat,  which 
fell  down  dead. 

When  Two-Eyes  saw  that,  full  of  sorrow,  she  went  outside, 
and  seated  herself  on  the  ridge  of  grass  at  the  edge  of  the  field, 
and  wept  bitter  tears. 

Suddenly  the  Wise  Woman  once  more  stood  by  her  side,  and 
said,  "  Two-Eyes,  why  are  you  weeping?  " 

"  Have  I  not  reason  to  weep?  "  she  answered.  "  The  goat, 
which  covered  the  table  for  me  every  day  when  I  spoke  your 
charm,  has  been  killed  by  my  mother,  and  now  I  shall  again 
have  to  bear  hunger  and  want." 

The  Wise  Woman  said,  "  Two-Eyes,  I  will  give  you  a  piece 
of  good  advice.  Ask  your  sisters  to  give  you  the  entrails  of  the 
slaughtered  goat,  and  bury  them  in  the  ground  in  front  of  the 
house,  and  your  fortune  will  be  made." 

Then  she  vanished,  and  Two-Eyes  went  home  and  said  to 
her  sisters,  "  Dear  Sisters,  do  give  me  some  part  of  my  goat.  I 
don't  wish  for  what  is  good,  but  give  me  the  entrails." 

Then  they  laughed  and  said,  "  If  that's  all  you  want,  you 
may  have  it." 

So  Two-Eyes  took  the  entrails  and  buried  them  quietly,  at 
evening,  in  front  of  the  house-door,  as  the  Wise  Woman  had 
counseled  her  to  do. 

Next  morning,  when  they  all  awoke,  and  went  to  the  house- 
door,  there  stood  a  wonderful,  magnificent  tree  with  leaves  of 
silver,  and  fruit  of  gold  hanging  among  them,  so  that  in  all  the 
wide   world   there  was   nothing  more   beautiful   or  precious. 

They  did  not  know  how  the  tree  could  have  come  there  during 

[320] 


ONE-EYE,  TWO-EYES,  AND  THREE-EYES 

the  night,  but  Two-Eyes  saw  that  it  had  grown  up  out  of  the 
entrails  of  the  goat,  for  it  was  standing  on  the  exact  spot 
where  she  had  buried  them. 

Then  the  mother  said  to  One-Eye,  "  Climb  up,  my  Child, 
and  gather  some  of  the  fruit  of  the  tree  for  us." 

One-Eye  climbed  up,  but  when  she  was  about  to  lay  hold 
of  one  of  the  golden  apples,  the  branch  escaped  from  her  hands. 
And  that  happened  each  time,  so  that  she  could  not  pluck  a 
single  apple,  let  her  do  what  she  might. 

Then  said  the  mother,  "  Three-Eyes,  do  you  climb  up.  You 
with  your  three  eyes  can  look  about  you  better  than  One-Eye." 

One-Eye  slipped  down,  and  Three-Eyes  climbed  up. 
Three-Eyes  was  not  more  skillful,  and  might  search  as  she 
liked,  but  the  golden  apples  always  escaped  her. 

At  length,  the  mother  grew  impatient,  and  climbed  up  her- 
self, but  could  grasp  the  fruit  no  better  than  One-Eye  and 
Three-Eyes,  for  she  always  clutched  empty  air. 

Then  said  Two-Eyes,  "  I  will  go  up,  perhaps  I  may  succeed 
better." 

The  sisters  cried,  "  You,  indeed,  with  your  two  eyes!  What 
can  you  do?  " 

But  Two-Eyes  climbed  up,  and  the  golden  apples  did  not 

get  out  of  her  way,  but  came  into  her  hand  of  their  own  accord, 

so  that  she  could  pluck  them  one  after  the  other.     And  she 

brought  a  whole  apronful  down  with  her.     The  mother  took 

them  away  from  her,  and  instead  of  treating  poor  Two-Eyes 

any  better  for  this,  she  and  One-Eye  and  Three-Eyes  were 

only  envious,  because  Two-Eyes  alone  had  been  able  to  get  the 

fruit.    They  treated  her  still  more  cruelly. 

[  321  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

It  so  befell  that  once,  when  they  were  all  standing  together 
by  the  tree,  a  young  Knight  came  up.  "  Quick,  Two-Eyes," 
cried  the  two  sisters,  "  creep  under  this  and  don't  disgrace 
us!"  and  with  all  speed  they  turned  an  empty  barrel,  which 
was  standing  close  by  the  tree,  over  poor  Two-Eyes,  and  they 
pushed  the  golden  apples  which  she  had  been  gathering,  under 
it  too. 

When  the  Knight  came  nearer  he  was  a  handsome  lord,  who 
stopped  and  admired  the  magnificent  gold  and  silver  tree,  and 
said  to  the  two  sisters,  "  To  whom  does  this  fine  tree  belong? 
Any  one  who  will  bestow  one  branch  of  it  on  me  may,  in  re- 
turn for  it,  ask  whatsoever  he  desires." 

Then  One-Eye  and  Three-Eyes  replied  that  the  tree  be- 
longed to  them,  and  that  they  would  give  him  a  branch.  They 
both  tried  very  hard,  but  they  were  not  able  to  do  it,  for  every 
time  the  branches  and  fruit  moved  away  from  them. 

Then  said  the  Knight,  "  It  is  very  strange  that  the  tree 
should  belong  to  you,  and  yet  you  should  still  not  be  able  to 
break  a  piece  off." 

They  again  insisted  that  the  tree  was  their  property.  Whilst 
they  were  saying  so,  Two-Eyes  rolled  a  couple  of  golden 
apples  from  under  the  barrel  to  the  feet  of  the  Knight,  for 
she  was  vexed  with  One-Eye  and  Three-Eyes,  for  not  speak- 
ing the  truth. 

When  the  Knight  saw  the  apples  he  was  astonished,  and 
asked  from  whence  they  came.  One-Eye  and  Three-Eyes  an- 
swered that  they  had  another  sister,  who  was  not  allowed  to 
show  herself,  for  she  had  only  two  eyes  like  any  common  per- 
son. 

[322] 


ONE-EYE,  TWO-EYES,  AND  THREE-EYES 

The  Knight,  however,  desired  to  see  her,  and  cried,  "  Two- 
Eyes,  come  hither! " 

Then  Two-Eyes,  quite  cheered,  came  from  beneath  the 
barrel,  and  the  Knight  was  surprised  at  her  great  beauty,  and 
said,  "  You,  Two-Eyes,  can  certainly  break  off  a  branch  from 
the  tree  for  me." 

"  Yes,"  replied  Two-Eyes,  "  that  I  certainly  shall  be  able 
to  do,  for  the  tree  belongs  to  me."  And  she  climbed  up,  and 
with  the  greatest  ease  broke  off  a  branch  with  beautiful  silver 
leaves  and  golden  fruit,  and  gave  it  to  the  Knight. 

Then  said  the  Knight,  "  Two-Eyes,  what  shall  I  give  you 
for  it? " 

"  Alas !  "  answered  Two-Eyes,  "  I  suffer  from  hunger  and 
thirst,  grief  and  want,  from  early  morning  till  late  night.  If 
you  would  take  me  with  you,  and  deliver  me  from  these  things, 
I  should  be  happy." 

So  the  Knight  lifted  Two-Eyes  on  his  horse,  and  took  her 
home  with  him  to  his  father's  castle.  There  he  gave  her  beau- 
tiful clothes  and  meat  and  drink  to  her  heart's  content.  And 
as  he  loved  her  so  much  he  married  her,  and  the  wedding  was 
solemnized  with  great  rejoicing. 

When  Two-Eyes  was  thus  carried  away  by  the  handsome 
Knight,  her  two  sisters  grudged  her  good  fortune  in  downright 
earnest.  "  The  wonderful  tree,  however,  remains  with  us," 
thought  they,  "  and  even  if  we  can  gather  no  fruit  from  it, 
every  one  will  stand  still  and  look  at  it,  and  come  to  us  and 
admire  it.  Who  knows  what  good  things  may  be  in  store  for 
us?" 

But  next  morning,  the  tree  had  vanished,  and  all  their  hopes 

[323] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

were  at  an  end.  And  when  Two-Eyes  looked  out  of  the  win- 
dow of  her  own  little  room,  to  her  great  delight  it  was  standing 
in  front  of  it.    And  so  it  had  followed  her. 

Two-Eyes  lived  a  long  time  in  happiness.  One  day,  two 
poor  women  came  to  her  castle,  and  begged  for  alms.  She 
looked  in  their  faces,  and  recognized  her  sisters,  One-Eye,  and 
Three-Eyes,  who  had  fallen  into  such  poverty  that  they  had  to 
wander  about  and  beg  their  bread  from  door  to  door.  Two- 
Eyes  made  them  welcome,  and  was  kind  to  them,  and  took 
care  of  them,  so  that  they  both,  with  all  their  hearts,  repented 
of  the  evil  that  they  had  done  in  their  youth  to  their  sister. 


[3241 


m  0  m* 


THE  GOOSE-GIRL  AT  THE  WELL? 

The  Old  Witch 

THERE  was  once  upon  a  time,  a  very  old  woman,  who 
lived  with  her  flock  of  geese  in  a  waste  place  among 
the  mountains,  and  there  had  a  little  house.  The  waste 
was  surrounded  by  a  large  forest,  and  every  morning  the  Old 
Woman  took  her  crutch  and  hobbled  into  it. 

There,  however,  the  dame  was  quite  active,  more  so  than 
any  one  would  have  thought,  considering  her  age,  and  collected 
grass  for  her  geese,  picked  all  the  wild  fruit  she  could  reach, 
and  carried  everything  home  on  her  back.  Any  one  would 
have  thought  that  the  heavy  load  would  have  weighed  her  to 
the  ground,  but  she  always  brought  it  safely  home. 

If  any  one  met  her,  she  greeted  him  quite  courteously. 
"  Good  day,  dear  Countryman,  it  is  a  fine  day.  Ah!  you  won- 
der that  I  should  drag  grass  about,  but  every  one  must  take 
his  burthen  on  his  back." 

Nevertheless,  people  did  not  like  to  meet  her  if  they  could 
help  it,  and  took  by  preference  a  roundabout  way.    And  when 

a  father  with  his  boys  passed  her,  he  whispered  to  them,  "  Be- 

[325] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

ware  of  the  Old  Woman.  She  has  claws  beneath  her  gloves. 
She  is  a  Witch." 

One  morning,  a  handsome  young  man  was  going  through  the 
forest.  The  sun  shone  bright,  the  birds  sang,  a  cool  breeze 
crept  through  the  leaves,  and  he  was  full  of  joy  and  gladness. 
He  had  as  yet  met  no  one,  when  he  suddenly  perceived  the  old 
Witch  kneeling  on  the  ground  cutting  grass  with  a  sickle.  She 
had  already  thrust  a  whole  load  into  her  cloth,  and  near  it 
stood  two  baskets,  which  were  filled  with  wild  apples  and  pears. 

'  But,  good  little  Mother,"  said  he,  "  how  can  you  carry  all 
that  away? " 

"  I  must  carry  it,  dear  Sir,"  answered  she;  "  rich  folk's  chil- 
dren have  no  need  to  do  such  things,  but  with  the  peasant  folk 
the  saying  goes,  '  Don't  look  behind  you,  you  will  only  see  how 
crooked  your  back  is ! ' 

"  Will  you  help  me?  "  she  said,  as  he  remained  standing  by 
her.  "  You  have  still  a  straight  back  and  young  legs,  it  would 
be  a  trifle  to  you.  Besides,  my  house  is  not  so  very  far  from 
here.  It  stands  there  on  the  heath  behind  the  hill.  How  soon 
you  would  bound  up  thither!  " 

The  young  man  took  compassion  on  the  Old  Woman.  "  My 
father  is  certainly  no  peasant,"  replied  he,  "  but  a  rich  Count. 
Nevertheless,  that  you  may  see  it  is  not  only  peasants  who  can 
carry  things,  I  will  take  your  bundle." 

"  If  you  will  try  it,"  said  she,  "  I  shall  be  very  glad.  You 
will  certainly  have  to  walk  for  an  hour,  but  what  will  that 
signify  to  you?  Only  you  must  carry  the  apples  and  pears  as 
well." 

It  now  seemed  to  the  young  man  just  a  little  serious,  when 

[326] 


THE  GOOSE-GIRL  AT  THE  WELL 

he  heard  of  an  hour's  walk,  but  the  Old  Woman  would  not  let 
him  off,  packed  the  bundle  on  his  back,  and  hung  the  two  bas- 
kets on  his  arm.    "  See,  it  is  quite  light,"  said  she. 

"  No,  it  is  not  light,"  answered  the  Count,  and  pulled  a  rue- 
ful face.  "  Verily,  the  bundle  weighs  as  heavily  as  if  it  were 
full  of  cobblestones,  and  the  apples  and  pears  are  as  heavy 
as  lead !    I  can  scarcely  breathe." 

He  had  a  mind  to  put  everything  down  again,  but  the  Old 
Woman  would  not  allow  it.  "  Just  look,"  said  she  mockingly, 
"  the  young  gentleman  will  not  carry  what  I,  an  old  woman, 
have  so  often  dragged  along!  You  are  ready  with  fine  words, 
but  when  it  comes  to  being  in  earnest,  you  want  to  take  to  your 
heels.  Why  are  you  standing  loitering  there?  "  she  continued. 
"  Step  out.    No  one  will  take  the  bundle  off  again." 

As  long  as  he  walked  on  level  ground,  it  was  still  bearable, 
but  when  they  came  to  the  hill  and  had  to  climb,  and  the  stones 
rolled  down  under  his  feet  as  if  they  were  alive,  it  was  beyond 
his  strength.  The  drops  of  perspiration  stood  on  his  forehead, 
and  ran,  hot  and  cold,  down  his  back. 

"  Dame,"  said  he,  "  I  can  go  no  farther.  I  want  to  rest  a 
little." 

"  Not  here,"  answered  the  Old  Woman,  "  when  we  have  ar- 
rived at  our  journey's  end,  you  can  rest.  But  now  you  must 
go  forward.    Who  knows  what  good  it  may  do  you? ' 

"  Old  woman,  you  are  shameless !  "  said  the  Count,  and  tried 

to  throw  off  the  bundle,  but  he  labored  in  vain.     It  stuck  as 

fast  to  his  back,  as  if  it  grew  there.     He  turned  and  twisted, 

but  he  could  not  get  rid  of  it. 

The  Old  Woman  laughed  at  this,  and  sprang  about  quite 

[  327  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

delighted  on  her  crutch.  "  Don't  get  angry,  dear  Sir,"  said 
she,  "you  are  growing  as  red  in  the  face  as  a  turkey-cock! 
Carry  your  bundle  patiently.  I  will  give  you  a  good  present 
when  we  get  home." 

What  could  he  do?  He  was  obliged  to  submit  to  his  fate, 
and  crawl  along  patiently  behind  the  Old  Woman.  She 
seemed  to  grow  more  and  more  nimble,  and  his  burden  still 
heavier.  All  at  once,  she  made  a  spring,  jumped  on  to  the 
bundle  and  seated  herself  on  the  top  of  it.  And  however 
withered  she  might  be,  she  was  yet  heavier  than  the  stoutest 
country  lass. 

The  youth's  knees  trembled,  but  when  he  did  not  go  on,  the 
Old  Woman  hit  him  about  the  legs  with  a  switch  and  with 
stinging-nettles.  Groaning  continually,  he  climbed  the  moun- 
tain, and  at  length  reached  the  Old  Woman's  house,  when  he 
was  just  about  to  drop. 

When  the  geese  perceived  the  Old  Woman,  they  flapped 
their  wings,  stretched  out  their  necks,  ran  to  meet  her,  cackling 
all  the  while.  Behind  the  flock  walked,  stick  in  hand,  an  old 
wench,  strong  and  big,  but  ugly  as  night.  "  Good  Mother," 
said  she  to  the  Old  Woman,  "  has  anything  happened  to  you, 
you  have  stayed  away  so  long?  " 

"  By  no  means,  my  dear  Daughter,"  answered  she,  "  I  have 
met  with  nothing  bad,  but,  on  the  contrary,  with  this  kind 
gentleman,  who  has  carried  my  burthen  for  me.  Only  think, 
he  even  took  me  on  his  back  when  I  was  tired.  The  way,  too, 
has  not  seemed  long  to  us.  We  have  been  merry,  and  have 
been  cracking  jokes  with  each  other  all  the  time." 

At  last  the  Old  Woman  slid  down,  took  the  bundle  off  the 

[328] 


THE  GOOSE-GIRL  AT  THE  WELL 

young  man's  back,  and  the  baskets  from  his  arm,  looked  at  him 
quite  kindly,  and  said,  "  Now  seat  yourself  on  the  bench  before 
the  door,  and  rest.  You  have  fairly  earned  your  wages,  and 
they  shall  not  be  wanting." 

Then  she  said  to  the  goose-girl,  "  Go  into  the  house,  my  little 
Daughter,  it  is  not  becoming  for  you  to  be  alone  with  a  young 
gentleman.  One  must  not  pour  oil  on  to  the  fire,  he  might  fall 
in  love  with  you." 

The  Count  knew  not  whether  to  laugh  or  to  cry.  "  Such  a 
sweetheart  as  that,"  thought  he,  "  could  not  touch  my  heart, 
even  if  she  were  thirty  years  younger." 

In  the  meantime,  the  Old  Woman  stroked  and  fondled  her 
geese  as  if  they  were  children,  and  then  went  into  the  house 
with  her  daughter.  The  youth  lay  down  on  the  bench,  under 
a  wild  apple-tree.  The  air  was  warm  and  mild.  On  all  sides 
stretched  a  green  meadow,  which  was  set  with  cowslips,  wild 
thyme,  and  a  thousand  other  flowers.  Through  the  midst  of  it 
rippled  a  clear  brook  on  which  the  sun  sparkled,  and  the  white 
geese  went  walking  backward  and  forward,  or  paddled  in  the 
water. 

"  It  is  quite  delightful  here,"  said  he,  "  but  I  am  so  tired  that 
I  cannot  keep  my  eyes  open.  I  will  sleep  a  little.  If  only  a 
gust  of  wind  does  not  come  and  blow  my  legs  off  my  body,  for 
they  are  as  brittle  as  tinder." 

When  he  had  slept  a  little  while,  the  Old  Woman  came  and 

shook  him  till  he  awoke.     "  Sit  up,"  said  she,  "  you  cannot 

stay  here.    I  have  certainly  treated  you  badly,  still  it  has  not 

cost  you  your  life.    Of  money  and  land  you  have  no  need,  here 

is  something  else  for  you." 

[329] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Thereupon  she  thrust  a  little  book  into  his  hand,  which  was 
cut  out  of  a  single  emerald.  "  Take  great  care  of  it,"  said  she, 
"  it  will  bring  you  good  fortune." 

The  Count  sprang  up,  and  as  he  felt  that  he  was  quite  fresh, 
and  had  recovered  his  vigor,  he  thanked  the  Old  Woman  for 
her  present,  and  set  off  without  even  once  looking  back  at  the 
beautiful  daughter.  When  he  was  already  some  way  off,  he 
still  heard  in  the  distance  the  noisy  cry  of  the  geese. 

For  three  days,  the  Count  had  to  wander  in  the  wilderness 
before  he  could  find  his  way  out.  He  then  reached  a  large 
town.  As  no  one  knew  him,  he  was  led  into  the  royal  palace, 
where  the  King  and  Queen  were  sitting  on  their  throne.  The 
Count  fell  on  one  knee,  drew  the  emerald  book  out  of  his 
pocket,  and  laid  it  at  the  Queen's  feet.  She  bade  him  rise  and 
hand  her  the  little  book. 

Hardly,  however,  had  she  opened  it,  and  looked  therein,  than 
she  fell  as  if  dead  to  the  ground.  The  Count  was  seized  by  the 
King's  servants,  and  was  being  led  to  prison,  when  the  Queen 
opened  her  eyes,  and  ordered  them  to  release  him,  and  every 
one  was  to  go  out,  as  she  wished  to  speak  with  him  in  private. 

When  the  Queen  was  alone,  she  began  to  weep  bitterly,  and 
said,  "  Of  what  use  to  me  are  the  splendors  and  honors  with 
which  I  am  surrounded !  Every  morning  I  awake  in  pain  and 
sorrow.  I  had  three  daughters,  the  youngest  of  whom  was  so 
beautiful,  that  the  whole  world  looked  on  her  as  a  wonder. 
She  was  as  white  as  snow,  as  rosy  as  apple-blossoms,  and  her 
hair  as  radiant  as  sunbeams.  When  she  cried,  not  tears  fell 
from  her  eyes,  but  pearls  and  jewels  only. 

"  When  she  was  fifteen  years  old,  the  King  summoned  all 

[330] 


THE  GOOSE-GIRL  AT  THE  WELL 

three  sisters  to  come  before  his  throne.  You  should  have  seen 
how  all  the  people  gazed  when  the  youngest  entered.  It  was 
just  as  if  the  sun  were  rising!  Then  the  King  spoke,  '  My 
Daughters,  I  know  not  when  my  last  hour  may  arrive.  I  will 
to-day  decide  what  each  shall  receive  at  my  death.  You  all 
love  me,  but  the  one  of  you  who  loves  me  best,  shall  fare  the 
best.' 

"  Each  of  them  said  she  loved  him  best.  '  Can  you  not 
express  to  me,'  said  the  King,  '  how  much  you  do  love  me,  and 
thus  I  shall  see  what  you  mean? ' 

"  The  eldest  spoke.  '  I  love  my  Father  as  dearly  as  the 
sweetest  sugar.'  The  second,  '  I  love  my  Father  as  dearly  as 
my  prettiest  dress.'    But  the  youngest  was  silent. 

"  Then  the  father  said,  '  And  you,  my  dearest  Child,  how 
much  do  you  love  me? '  '  I  do  not  know,  and  can  compare  my 
love  with  nothing.'  But  her  father  insisted  that  she  should 
name  something.  So  she  said  at  last,  '  The  best  food  does  not 
please  me  without  salt,  therefore  I  love  my  Father  like  salt.' 

"  When  the  King  heard  that,  he  fell  into  a  passion  and  said, 
1  If  you  love  me  like  salt,  your  love  shall  also  be  repaid  with 
salt.' 

"  Then  he  divided  the  kingdom  between  the  two  elder,  but 
caused  a  sack  of  salt  to  be  bound  on  the  back  of  the  youngest, 
and  two  servants  had  to  lead  her  forth  into  the  wild  forest. 

"  We  all  begged  and  prayed  for  her,"  said  the  Queen,  "  but 

the  King's  anger  was  not  to  be  appeased.    How  she  cried  when 

she  had  to  leave  us!     The  whole  road  was  strewn  with  the 

pearls  which  flowed  from  her  eyes. 

"  The  King  soon  afterward  repented  of  his  great  severity, 

[331] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

and  had  the  whole  forest  searched  for  the  poor  child,  but  no  one 
could  find  her.  When  I  think  that  the  wild  beasts  have  de- 
voured her,  I  know  not  how  to  contain  myself  for  sorrow. 
Many  a  time  I  console  myself  with  the  hope  that  she  is  still 
alive,  and  may  have  hidden  herself  in  a  cave,  or  has  found 
shelter  with  compassionate  people. 

"  But  picture  to  yourself,  when  I  opened  your  little  emerald 
book,  a  pearl  lay  therein,  of  exactly  the  same  kind  as  those 
which  used  to  fall  from  my  daughter's  eyes.  And  then  you 
can  also  imagine  how  the  sight  of  it  stirred  my  heart!  You 
must  tell  me  how  you  came  by  that  pearl." 

The  Count  told  her  that  he  had  received  it  from  the  Old 
Woman  in  the  forest,  who  had  appeared  very  strange  to  him, 
and  must  be  a  Witch.  But  he  had  neither  seen  nor  heard  any- 
thing of  the  Queen's  child.  The  King  and  the  Queen  resolved 
to  seek  out  the  Old  Woman.  They  thought  that  there  where 
the  pearl  had  been,  they  would  obtain  news  of  their  daughter. 

The  Gray  Mask 

The  Old  Woman  was  sitting  in  that  lonely  place  at  her 
spinning-wheel,  spinning.  It  was  already  dusk,  and  a  log 
which  was  burning  on  the  hearth  gave  a  scanty  light.  All  at 
once,  there  was  a  noise  outside,  the  geese  were  coming  home 
from  the  pasture,  and  uttering  their  hoarse  cries.  Soon  after- 
ward the  daughter  entered.  But  the  Old  Woman  scarcely 
thanked  her,  and  only  shook  her  head  a  little.  The  daughter 
sat  down  beside  her,  took  her  spinning-wheel,  and  twisted  the 
threads  as  nimbly  as  a  young  girl.    Thus  they  both  sat  for  two 

hours,  and  exchanged  never  a  word. 

[332] 


WHEN  THE  GRAY  MASK  FELL  OFF,  HER  GOLDEN  HAIR  BROKE  FORTH 


THE  GOOSE-GIRL  AT  THE  WELL 

At  last,  something  rustled  at  the  window,  and  two  fiery  eyes 
peered  in.  It  was  an  old  night-owl,  which  cried,  "  Uhu! " 
three  times. 

The  Old  Woman  looked  up  just  a  little,  then  she  said, 
"  Now,  my  little  Daughter,  it  is  time  for  you  to  go  out  and  do 
your  work." 

She  rose  and  went  out,  and  where  did  she  go?  Over  the 
meadows  ever  onward  into  the  valley.  At  last,  she  came  to  a 
well,  with  three  old  oak-trees  standing  beside  it.  Meanwhile 
the  moon  had  risen  large  and  round  over  the  mountain,  and  it 
was  so  light  that  one  could  have  found  a  needle. 

She  removed  a  skin  which  covered  her  face,  then  bent  down 
to  the  well,  and  began  to  wash  herself.  When  she  had  fin- 
ished, she  dipped  the  skin  also  in  the  water,  and  laid  it  on  the 
meadow,  so  that  it  should  bleach  in  the  moonlight,  and  dry 


again. 


But  how  the  maiden  was  changed!  Such  a  change  as  that 
was  never  seen  before!  When  the  gray  mask  fell  off,  her 
golden  hair  broke  forth  like  sunbeams,  and  spread  about  like  a 
mantle  over  her  whole  form.  Her  eyes  shone  out  as  brightly 
as  the  stars  in  heaven,  and  her  cheeks  bloomed  a  soft  red  like 
apple-blossoms. 

But  the  fair  maiden  was  sad.  She  sat  down  and  wept  bit- 
terly. One  tear  after  another  forced  itself  out  of  her  eyes,  and 
rolled  through  her  long  hair  to  the  ground.  There  she  sat,  and 
would  have  remained  sitting  a  long  time,  if  there  had  not  been 
a  rustling  and  cracking  in  the  boughs  of  the  neighboring  tree. 
She  sprang  up  like  a  roe  which  has  been  overtaken  by  the  shot 

of  the  hunter. 

[  333  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Just  then  the  moon  was  obscured  by  a  dark  cloud,  and  in  an 
instant  the  maiden  had  slipped  on  the  old  skin  and  vanished,  as 
does  a  light  blown  out  bv  the  wind. 

She  ran  back  home,  trembling  like  an  aspen-leaf.  The  Old 
Woman  was  standing  on  the  threshold,  and  the  maiden  was 
about  to  relate  what  had  befallen  her,  but  the  Old  Woman 
laughed  kindly,  and  said,  "  I  already  know  it." 

She  led  her  into  the  room  and  lighted  a  new  log.  She  did 
not,  however,  sit  down  to  her  spinning  again,  but  fetched  a 
broom  and  began  to  sweep  and  scour.  "  All  must  be  clean  and 
sweet,"  she  said  to  the  maiden. 

"  But,  Mother,"  said  the  maiden,  "  why  do  you  begin  work 
at  so  late  an  hour?    What  do  you  expect?  " 

"Do  you  know  then  what  time  it  is?'  asked  the  Old 
Woman. 

"  Not  yet  midnight,"  answered  the  maiden,  "  but  already 
past  eleven  o'clock." 

"  Do  you  not  remember,"  continued  the  Old  Woman,  "  that 
it  is  three  years  to-day  since  you  came  to  me?  Your  time  is 
up,  we  can  no  longer  remain  together." 

The  maiden  was  terrified,  and  said,  "  Alas !  dear  Mother, 
will  you  cast  me  off?  Where  shall  I  go?  I  have  no  friends, 
and  no  home  to  which  I  can  go.  I  have  always  done  as  you 
bade  me,  and  you  have  always  been  satisfied  with  me.  Do  not 
send  me  away." 

The  Old  Woman  would  not  tell  the  maiden  what  lay  before 
her.  "  My  stay  here  is  over,"  she  said  to  her,  "  but  when  I 
depart,  house  and  parlor  must  be  clean:  therefore  do  not  hin- 
der me  in  my  work.    Have  no  care  for  yourself.    You  shall 

[  334  ] 


THE  GOOSE-GIRL  AT  THE  WELL 

find  a  roof  to  shelter  you,  and  the  wages  which  I  will  give  you 
shall  also  content  you." 

"  But  tell  me  what  is  about  to  happen,"  the  maiden  con- 
tinued to  entreat. 

"  I  tell  you  again,  do  not  hinder  me  in  my  work.  Do  not 
say  a  word  more,  go  to  your  chamber,  take  the  skin  off  your 
face,  and  put  on  the  silken  gown  which  you  had  on  when  you 
came  to  me,  and  then  wait  in  your  chamber  until  I  call  you." 

The  Goose-Girl 

But  I  must  once  more  tell  of  the  King  and  Queen,  who  had 
journeyed  forth  with  the  Count  in  order  to  seek  out  the  Old 
Woman  in  the  wilderness.  The  Count  had  strayed  away  from 
them  in  the  wood  by  night,  and  had  to  walk  onward  alone. 

Next  day,  it  seemed  to  him  that  he  was  on  the  right  track. 
He  still  went  forward,  until  darkness  came  on,  then  he  climbed 
a  tree,  intending  to  pass  the  night  there,  for  he  feared  that  he 
might  lose  his  way.  When  the  moon  illumined  the  surrounding 
country  he  perceived  a  figure  coming  down  the  mountain.  She 
had  no  stick  in  her  hand,  yet  he  could  see  that  it  was  the  goose- 
girl,  whom  he  had  seen  before  in  the  house  of  the  Old  Woman. 

"  Oho,"  cried  he,  "  there  she  comes,  and  if  I  once  get  hold 
of  one  of  the  Witches,  the  other  shall  not  escape  me ! ': 

But  how  astonished  he  was,  when  she  went  to  the  well,  took 

off  the  skin  and  washed  herself.    Her  golden  hair  fell  down  all 

about  her,  and  she  was  more  beautiful  than  any  one  whom  he 

had  ever  seen  in  the  whole  world.    He  hardly  dared  to  breathe, 

but  stretched  his  head  as  far  forward  through  the  leaves  as  he 

dared,  and  stared  at  her.    Either  he  bent  over  too  far,  or  what- 

[335] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

ever  the  cause  might  be,  the  bough  suddenly  cracked,  and  that 
very  moment  the  maiden  slipped  into  the  skin,  sprang  away 
like  a  roe,  and  as  the  moon  was  suddenly  covered,  disappeared 
from  his  eyes. 

Hardly  had  she  disappeared,  before  the  Count  descended 
from  the  tree,  and  hastened  after  her  with  nimble  steps.  He 
had  not  gone  far  before  he  saw,  in  the  twilight,  two  figures 
coming  over  the  meadow.  It  was  the  King  and  Queen,  who 
had  perceived  from  a  distance  the  light  shining  in  the  Old 
Woman's  little  house,  and  were  going  to  it. 

The  Count  told  them  what  wonderful  thing  he  had  seen  by 
the  well,  and  they  did  not  doubt  but  that  she  was  their  lost 
daughter.  They  walked  onward  full  of  joy,  and  soon  came  to 
the  little  house.  The  geese  were  sitting  all  round  it,  and  had 
thrust  their  heads  under  their  wings  and  were  sleeping,  and 
not  one  of  them  moved. 

The  King  and  Queen  looked  in  at  the  window.  The  Old 
Woman  was  sitting  there  quietly  spinning,  nodding  her  head 
and  never  looking  round.  The  room  was  perfectly  clean,  as 
if  the  little  Mist  Men,  who  carry  no  dust  on  their  feet,  lived 
there.  Their  daughter,  however,  they  did  not  see.  They  gazed 
at  all  this  for  a  long  time.  At  last  they  took  heart,  and  knocked 
softly  at  the  window. 

The  Old  Woman  appeared  to  have  been  expecting  them. 
She  rose,  and  called  out  quite  kindly,  "  Come  in, — I  know  you 
already." 

When  they  had  entered  the  room,  the  Old  Woman  said, 
"  You  might  have  spared  yourself  the  long  walk,  if  you  had 

not  three  years  ago  unjustly  driven  away  your  child,  who  is 

[  336  ] 


THE  GOOSE-GIRL  AT  THE  WELL 

so  good  and  lovable.  No  harm  has  come  to  her.  For  three 
years  she  has  had  to  tend  the  geese.  With  them  she  has  learnt 
no  evil,  but  has  preserved  her  purity  of  heart.  You,  however, 
have  been  sufficiently  punished  by  the  misery  in  which  you 
have  lived." 

Then  she  went  to  the  chamber  and  called,  "  Come  out,  my 
little  Daughter." 

Thereupon  the  door  opened,  and  the  Princess  stepped  out  in 
her  silken  garments,  with  her  golden  hair  and  her  shining  eyes, 
and  it  was  as  if  an  Angel  from  Heaven  had  entered. 

She  went  up  to  her  father  and  mother,  fell  on  their  necks 
and  kissed  them.  There  was  no  help  for  it,  they  all  had  to 
weep  for  joy.  The  young  Count  stood  near  them;  and  when 
she  perceived  him,  she  became  as  red  in  the  face  as  a  moss-rose, 
she  herself  did  not  know  why. 

The  King  said,  "  My  dear  Child,  I  have  given  away  my 
kingdom,  what  shall  I  give  thee?  " 

"  She  needs  nothing,"  said  the  Old  Woman.  "  I  give  her 
the  tears  that  she  has  wept  on  your  account.  They  are  pre- 
cious pearls,  finer  than  those  that  are  found  in  the  sea,  and 
worth  more  than  your  whole  kingdom,  and  I  give  her  my  little 
house  as  payment  for  her  services." 

When  the  Old  Woman  had  said  that,  she  disappeared  from 
their  sight.  The  walls  rattled  a  little,  and  when  the  King  and 
Queen  looked  round,  the  little  house  had  changed  into  a  splen- 
did palace,  a  royal  table  had  been  spread,  and  the  servants  were 
running  hither  and  thither. 


[337] 


THE  SHOES  THAT  WERE  DANCED  TO  PIECES 

THERE  was  once  upon  a  time,  a  King  who  had  twelve 
daughters,  each  one  more  beautiful  than  the  other. 
They  all  slept  together  in  one  chamber,  in  which  their 
beds  stood  side  by  side. 

Every  night,  when  they  were  in  them,  the  King  locked  the 
door,  and  bolted  it.  But  in  the  morning,  when  he  unlocked  the 
door,  he  saw  that  their  shoes  were  worn  out  with  dancing,  and 
no  one  could  find  out  how  that  had  happened. 

Then  the  King  caused  it  to  be  proclaimed  that  whosoever 
could  discover  where  they  danced  at  night,  should  choose  one 
of  them  for  his  wife  and  be  King  after  his  death.  But  that 
whosoever  came  forward  and  had  not  discovered  it  within  three 
days  and  nights,  should  forfeit  his  life. 

It  was  not  long  before  a  King's  Son  presented  himself,  and 
offered  to  undertake  the  enterprise.  He  was  well  received, 
and  in  the  evening  was  led  into  a  room  adjoining  the  Prin- 
cesses' sleeping-chamber.  His  bed  was  placed  there,  and  he 
was  to  watch  where  they  went  and  danced.  And  in  order  that 
they  might  do  nothing  secretly  or  go  away  to  some  other  place, 

the  door  of  their  room  was  left  open. 

[338] 


THE  SHOES  THAT  WERE  DANCED  TO  PIECES 

But  the  eyelids  of  the  Prince  grew  heavy  as  lead,  and  he 
fell  asleep. 

When  he  awoke  in  the  morning,  all  twelve  had  been  to  the 
dance,  for  their  shoes  were  standing  there  with  holes  in  the 
soles. 

On  the  second  and  third  nights  it  fell  out  just  the  same,  and 
then  his  head  was  struck  off  without  mercy.  Many  others 
came  after  this  and  undertook  the  enterprise,  but  all  forfeited 
their  lives. 

Now,  it  came  to  pass  that  a  poor  soldier,  who  had  a  wound, 
and  could  serve  no  longer,  found  himself  on  the  road  to  the 
town  where  the  King  lived.  There  he  met  an  Old  Woman, 
who  asked  him  where  he  was  going. 

"  I  hardly  know  myself,"  answered  he,  and  added  in  jest, 
"  I  had  half  a  mind  to  discover  where  the  Princesses  danced 
their  shoes  into  holes,  and  thus  become  King." 

"  That  is  not  so  difficult,"  said  the  Old  Woman,  "  you  must 
not  drink  the  wine  which  will  be  brought  to  you  at  night." 

With  that  she  gave  him  a  little  cloak,  and  said,  "  If  you  put 
on  that,  you  will  be  invisible,  and  then  you  can  steal  after  the 
twelve." 

When  the  soldier  had  received  this  good  advice,  he  took 
heart,  went  to  the  King,  and  announced  himself  as  a  suitor. 
He  was  as  well  received  as  the  others,  and  royal  garments  were 
put  upon  him. 

He  was  conducted  that  evening,  at  bedtime,  into  the  outer- 
chamber,  and  as  he  was  about  to  go  to  bed,  the  eldest  came 
and  brought  him  a  cup  of  wine. 

He  lay  down,  but  did  not  drink  the  wine. 

[  339  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

The  Twelve  Princesses,  in  their  chamber,  laughed,  and  the 
eldest  said,  "  He,  too,  might  as  well  have  saved  his  life." 

With  that  they  got  up,  opened  wardrobes,  presses,  cup- 
boards, and  brought  out  pretty  dresses ;  dressed  themselves  be- 
fore the  mirrors,  sprang  about,  and  rejoiced  at  the  prospect  of 
the  dance. 

Only  the  youngest  said,  "  I  know  not  how  it  is.  You  are 
very  happy,  but  I  feel  strange.  Some  misfortune  is  certainly 
about  to  befall  us." 

"  You  are  a  goose,  who  are  always  frightened,"  said  the 
eldest.  "  Have  you  forgotten  how  many  King's  Sons  have  al- 
ready come  here  in  vain?  I  had  hardly  any  need  to  give  the 
soldier  a  sleeping-draught.  In  any  case,  the  clown  would  not 
have  awakened." 

When  they  were  all  ready,  the  eldest  then  went  to  her  bed 
and  tapped  it. 

It  immediately  sank  into  the  earth;  and  one  after  the  other 
they  descended  through  the  opening,  the  eldest  going  first. 

The  soldier,  who  had  watched  everything,  tarried  no  longer, 
put  on  his  little  cloak,  and  went  down  last  with  the  youngest. 
Half-way  down  the  steps,  he  just  trod  a  little  on  her  dress. 

She  was  terrified  at  that,  and  cried  out,  "  What  is  that?  who 
is  pulling  at  my  dress?  " 

"Don't  be  so  silly!"  said  the  eldest,  "you  have  caught  it 
on  a  nail." 

Then  they  went  all  the  way  down,  and  when  they  were  at  the 

bottom,  they  were  standing  in  a  wonderfully  pretty  avenue  of 

trees,  all  the  leaves  of  which  were  of  silver,  and  shone  and 

glistened.    The  soldier  thought,  "  I  must  carry  a  token  away 

[  340  ] 


THE  SHOES  THAT  WERE  DANCED  TO  PIECES 

with  me,"  and  broke  off  a  twig  from  one  of  them,  on  which  the 
tree  cracked  with  a  loud  report. 

The  youngest  cried  out  again,  "  Something  is  wrong,  did 
you  hear  the  crack?  " 

But  the  eldest  said,  "  It  is  a  gun  fired  for  joy,  because  we 
have  got  rid  of  our  Prince  so  quickly." 

After  that  they  came  into  an  avenue  where  all  the  leaves 
were  of  gold,  and  lastly  into  a  third  where  they  were  of  bright 
diamonds.  He  broke  off  a  twig  from  each,  which  made  such  a 
crack  each  time  that  the  youngest  started  back  in  terror,  but 
the  eldest  still  declared  that  they  were  salutes. 

They  went  on  and  came  to  a  great  lake  whereon  stood  twelve 
little  boats,  and  in  every  boat  sat  a  handsome  Prince,  all  of 
whom  were  waiting  for  the  Twelve  Princesses.  Each  took  one 
of  them  with  him,  but  the  soldier  seated  himself  by  the  young- 
est. 

Then  her  Prince  said,  "  I  can't  tell  why  the  boat  is  so  much 
heavier  to-day.  I  shall  have  to  row  with  all  my  strength,  if  I 
am  to  get  it  across." 

"  What  should  cause  that,"  said  the  youngest,  "  but  the 
warm  weather?    I  feel  very  warm  too." 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  lake  stood  a  splendid,  brightly-lit 
castle,  from  whence  resounded  the  joyous  music  of  trumpets 
and  kettle-drums.  They  rowed  thither,  entered,  and  each 
Prince  danced  with  the  maiden  he  loved,  but  the  soldier  danced 
with  them  unseen.  And  when  one  of  them  had  a  cup  of  wine 
in  her  hand  he  drank  it  up,  so  that  the  cup  was  empty  when 
she  carried  it  to  her  mouth.    The  youngest  was  alarmed  at  this, 

but  the  eldest  always  made  her  be  silent. 

[341] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

They  danced  there  till  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  all 
the  shoes  were  danced  into  holes,  and  they  were  forced  to  leave 
off.  The  Princes  rowed  them  back  again  over  the  lake,  and 
this  time  the  soldier  seated  himself  by  the  eldest.  On  the  shore 
they  took  leave  of  their  Princes,  and  promised  to  return  the 
following  night. 

When  they  reached  the  stairs,  the  soldier  ran  on  in  front 
and  lay  down  in  his  bed,  and  when  the  Twelve  Princesses  had 
come  up  slowly  and  wearily,  he  was  already  snoring  so  loudly 
that  they  could  all  hear  him,  and  they  said,  "  So  far  as  he  is 
concerned,  we  are  safe." 

They  took  off  their  beautiful  dresses,  laid  them  away,  put 
the  worn-out  shoes  under  the  bed,  and  lay  down.  Next  morn- 
ing, the  soldier  was  resolved  not  to  speak,  but  to  watch  the 
wonderful  goings  on,  and  that  night  again  went  with  them. 
Then  everything  was  done  just  as  it  had  been  done  the  first 
time,  and  they  danced  until  their  shoes  were  worn  to 
pieces.  But  the  third  time,  he  took  a  cup  away  with  him  as  a 
token. 

When  the  hour  had  arrived  for  him  to  give  his  answer,  he 
took  the  three  twigs  and  the  cup,  and  went  to  the  King,  but 
the  Twelve  Princesses  stood  behind  the  door,  and  listened  for 
what  he  was  going  to  say. 

When  the  King  put  the  question,  "  Where  have  my  Twelve 
Daughters  danced  their  shoes  to  pieces  in  the  night?  "  he  an- 
swered, "  In  an  underground  castle  with  Twelve  Princes,"  and 
related  how  it  had  come  to  pass,  and  brought  out  the  tokens. 

The  King  then  summoned  his  daughters,  and  asked  them  if 

the  soldier  had  told  the  truth,  and  when  they  saw  that  they 

[  342  ] 


THE  SHOES  THAT  WERE  DANCED  TO  PIECES 

were  betrayed,  and  that  falsehood  would  be  of  no  avail,  they 
were  obliged  to  confess  all. 

Thereupon  the  King  asked  which  of  them  he  would  have  for 
his  wife? 

He  answered,  "  I  am  no  longer  young,  so  give  me  the  eld- 
est." 

Then  the  wedding  was  celebrated  on  the  self-same  day,  and 
the  kingdom  was  promised  him  after  the  King's  death.  But 
the  Princes  were  bewitched  for  as  many  days  more  as  they  had 
danced  nights  with  the  Twelve. 


[343] 


THE  NIX  OF  THE  MILL-POND 


THERE  was  once  upon  a  time,  a  miller  who  lived  with 
his  wife  in  great  contentment.  They  had  money  and 
land,  and  their  prosperity  increased  year  by  year  more 
and  more.  But  ill-luck  comes  like  a  thief  in  the  night,  as  their 
wealth  had  increased  so  did  it  again  decrease,  year  by  year. 

At  last  the  miller  could  hardly  call  the  mill  in  which  he  lived 
his  own.  He  was  in  great  distress,  and  when  he  lay  down  after 
his  day's  work,  found  no  rest,  but  full  of  care,  tossed  about  in 
his  bed. 

One  morning,  he  rose  before  daybreak  and  went  out  into  the 
open  air,  thinking  that  perhaps  there  his  heart  might  become 
lighter.  As  he  was  stepping  over  the  mill-dam,  the  first  sun- 
beam was  just  breaking  forth,  and  he  heard  a  rippling  sound 
in  the  pond.  He  turned  round  and  perceived  a  beautiful 
woman,  rising  slowly  out  of  the  water.  Her  long  hair,  which 
she  was  holding  off  her  shoulders  with  her  soft  hands,  fell 
down  on  both  sides,  and  covered  her  white  body. 

He  saw  that  she  was  the  Nix  of  the  Mill-pond,  and  in  his 
fright  did  not  know  whether  he  should  run  away  or  stay  where 

he  was. 

[344] 


THE  NIX  OF  THE  MILL-POND 

But  the  Nix  made  her  sweet  voice  heard,  called  him  by  his 
name,  and  asked  him  why  he  was  so  sad?  The  miller  was  at 
first  struck  dumb,  but  when  he  heard  her  speak  so  kindly,  he 
took  heart,  and  told  her  how  he  had  formerly  lived  in  wealth 
and  happiness,  but  that  now  he  was  so  poor  that  he  did  not 
know  what  to  do. 

"  Be  easy,"  answered  the  Nix,  "  I  will  make  you  richer  and 
happier  than  you  have  ever  been  before,  only  you  must  promise 
to  give  me  the  young  thing  which  has  just  been  bom  in  your 
house." 

"  What  else  can  that  be,"  thought  the  miller,  "  but  a  young 
PUPPV  or  kitten?  "  and  he  promised  her  what  she  desired. 

The  Nix  descended  into  the  water  again,  and  he  hurried  back 
to  his  mill,  consoled  and  in  good  spirits.  He  had  not  yet 
reached  it,  when  the  maid-servant  came  out  of  the  house,  and 
cried  to  him  to  rejoice,  for  his  wife  had  a  little  boy.  The  miller 
stood  as  if  struck  by  lightning.  He  saw  very  well  that  the 
cunning  Nix  had  been  aware  of  it,  and  had  cheated  him. 

Hanging  his  head,  he  went  up  to  his  wife's  bedside  and 
when  she  said,  "  Why  do  you  not  rejoice  over  the  fine  boy? ' 
he  told  her  what  had  befallen  him,  and  what  kind  of  a  promise 
he  had  given  to  the  Nix.  "  Of  what  use  to  me  are  riches  and 
prosperity? "  he  added,  "  if  I  am  to  lose  my  child;  but  what 
can  I  do? " 

Even  the  relations,  who  had  come  thither  to  wish  them  joy, 
did  not  know  what  to  say.  In  the  meantime  prosperity  again 
returned  to  the  miller's  house.  All  that  he  undertook  suc- 
ceeded ;  it  was  as  if  presses  and  coffers  filled  themselves  of  their 

own  accord,  and  as  if  money  multiplied  nightly  in  the  cup- 

[345] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

boards.  It  was  not  long  before  his  wealth  was  greater  than  it 
had  ever  been  before.  But  he  could  not  rejoice  over  it  un- 
troubled, the  bargain  which  he  had  made  with  the  Nix  tor- 
mented his  soul. 

Whenever  he  passed  the  mill-pond,  he  feared  she  might  as- 
cend and  remind  him  of  his  debt.  He  never  let  the  boy  himself 
go  near  the  water.  "  Beware,"  he  said  to  him,  "  if  you  do  but 
touch  the  water,  a  hand  will  rise,  seize  you,  and  draw  you 
down." 

But  as  year  after  year  went  by,  and  the  Nix  did  not  show 
herself  again,  the  miller  began  to  feel  at  ease.  The  boy  grew 
up  to  be  a  youth  and  was  apprenticed  to  a  huntsman.  When 
he  had  learnt  everything,  and  had  become  an  excellent  hunts- 
man, the  lord  of  the  village  took  him  into  his  service.  In  the 
village  lived  a  beautiful  and  true-hearted  maiden,  who  pleased 
the  huntsman.  When  his  master  perceived  that,  he  gave  him  a 
little  house,  the  two  were  married,  lived  peacefully  and  hap- 
pily, and  loved  each  other  with  all  their  hearts. 

One  day,  the  huntsman  was  chasing  a  roe.  And  when  the 
animal  turned  aside  from  the  forest  into  the  open  country,  he 
pursued  it  and  at  last  shot  it.  He  did  not  notice  that  he  was 
now  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  dangerous  mill-pond,  and  went, 
after  he  had  disembowelled  the  stag,  to  the  water,  in  order  to 
wash  his  blood-stained  hands. 

Scarcely,  however,  had  he  dipped  them  in  than  the  Nix  as- 
cended, smilingly  wound  her  dripping  arms  around  him,  and 
drew  him  quickly  down  under  the  waves,  which  closed  over 
him. 

When  it  was  evening,  and  the  huntsman  did  not  return 

[346] 


THE  NIX  OF  THE  MILL-POND 

home,  his  wife  grew  alarmed.  She  went  out  to  seek  him,  and 
as  he  had  often  told  her  that  he  had  to  be  on  his  guard  against 
the  snares  of  the  Nix,  and  dared  not  venture  into  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  mill-pond,  she  already  suspected  what  had  hap- 
pened. She  hastened  to  the  water,  and  when  she  found  his 
hunting-pouch  lying  on  the  shore,  she  could  no  longer  have  any 
doubt  of  the  misfortune. 

Lamenting  her  sorrow,  and  wringing  her  hands,  she  called 
on  her  beloved  by  name,  but  in  vain.  She  hurried  across  to  the 
other  side  of  the  pond,  and  called  him  anew.  She  reviled  the 
Nix  with  harsh  words,  but  no  answer  followed.  The  surface  of 
the  water  remained  calm,  only  the  crescent  moon  stared  stead- 
ily back  at  her.  The  poor  woman  did  not  leave  the  pond. 
With  hasty  steps,  she  paced  round  and  round  it,  without  rest- 
ing a  moment,  sometimes  in  silence,  sometimes  uttering  a  loud 
cry,  sometimes  softly  sobbing.  At  last  her  strength  came  to  an 
end,  she  sank  down  to  the  ground  and  fell  into  a  heavy 
sleep. 

Presently  a  dream  took  possession  of  her.  She  was  anx- 
iously climbing  upward  between  great  masses  of  rock.  Thorns 
and  briars  caught  her  feet,  the  rain  beat  in  her  face,  and  the 
wind  tossed  her  long  hair  about.  When  she  had  reached  the 
summit,  quite  a  different  sight  presented  itself  to  her.  The 
sky  was  blue,  the  air  soft,  the  ground  sloped  gently  downward, 
and  on  a  green  meadow,  gay  with  flowers  of  every  color,  stood 
a  pretty  cottage.  She  went  up  to  it  and  opened  the  door. 
There  sat  an  Old  Woman  with  white  hair,  who  beckoned  to  her 
kindly. 

At  that  very  moment,  the  poor  woman  awoke,  day  had  al- 

[347] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

ready  dawned,  and  she  at  once  resolved  to  act  in  accordance 
with  her  dream.  She  laboriously  climbed  the  mountain. 
Everything  was  exactly  as  she  had  seen  it  in  the  night.  The 
Old  Woman  received  her  kindly,  and  pointed  out  a  chair  on 
which  she  might  sit.  "  You  must  have  met  with  a  misfortune," 
she  said,  "  since  you  have  sought  out  my  lonely  cottage." 

With  tears,  the  woman  related  what  had  befallen  her. 

"  Be  comforted,"  said  the  Old  Woman,  "  I  will  help  you. 
Here  is  a  Golden  Comb  for  you.  Tarry  till  the  full  moon  has 
risen,  then  go  to  the  mill-pond,  seat  yourself  on  the  shore,  and 
comb  your  long  black  hair  with  this  comb.  When  you  have 
done,  lay  it  down  on  the  bank,  and  you  will  see  what  will  hap- 
pen." 

The  woman  returned  home,  but  the  time  till  the  full  moon 
came,  passed  slowly.  At  last  the  shining  disc  appeared  in  the 
heavens,  then  she  went  out  to  the  mill-pond,  sat  down  and 
combed  her  long  black  hair  with  the  Golden  Comb.  When  she 
had  finished,  she  laid  it  down  at  the  water's  edge. 

It  was  not  long  before  there  was  a  movement  in  the  depths, 
a  wave  rose,  rolled  to  the  shore,  and  bore  the  comb  away  with 
it. 

In  not  more  than  the  time  necessary  for  the  comb  to  sink  to 
the  bottom,  the  surface  of  the  water  parted,  and  the  head 
of  the  huntsman  arose.  He  did  not  speak,  but  looked 
at  his  wife  with  sorrowful  glances.  At  the  same  instant,  a 
second  wave  came  rushing  up,  and  covered  the  man's  head. 
All  had  vanished,  the  mill-pond  lay  peaceful  as  before,  and 
nothing  but  the  face  of  the  full  moon  shone  on  it. 

Full  of  sorrow,  the  woman  went  back,  but  again  the  dream 

[348] 


SHE  COMBED  HER  LONG    BLACK  HAIR 


THE  NIX  OF  THE  MILL-POND 

showed  her  the  cottage  of  the  Old  Woman.  Next  morning, 
she  again  set  out  and  complained  of  her  woes  to  the  Wise 
Woman. 

The  Old  Woman  gave  her  a  Golden  Flute,  and  said,  "  Tarry 
till  the  full  moon  comes  again,  then  take  this  flute.  Play  a 
beautiful  air  on  it,  and  when  you  have  finished,  lay  it  on  the 
sand.    Then  you  will  see  what  will  happen." 

The  wife  did  as  the  old  woman  told  her.  No  sooner  was  the 
flute  lying  on  the  sand,  than  there  was  a  stirring  in  the  depths, 
and  a  wave  rushed  up  and  bore  the  flute  away  with  it. 

Immediately  afterward  the  water  parted,  and  not  only  the 
head  of  the  man,  but  half  of  his  body  also  arose.  He  stretched 
out  his  arms  longingly  toward  her.  But  a  second  wave  came 
up,  covered  him,  and  drew  him  down  again. 

"  Alas,  what  does  it  profit  me? "  said  the  unhappy  woman, 
"  that  I  should  see  my  beloved,  only  to  lose  him  again!  " 

Despair  filled  her  heart  anew,  but  the  dream  led  her  a  third 
time  to  the  house  of  the  Old  Woman.  She  set  out,  and  the 
Wise  Woman  gave  her  a  Golden  Spinning- Wheel,  consoled  her 
and  said,  "  All  is  not  yet  fulfilled,  tarry  until  the  time  of  the 
full  moon.  Then  take  the  spinning-wheel,  seat  yourself  on  the 
shore,  and  spin  the  spool  full.  When  you  have  done  that,  place 
the  spinning-wheel  near  the  water,  and  you  will  see  what  will 
happen." 

The  woman  obeyed  all  she  said  exactly.    As  soon  as  the  full 

moon  showed  itself,  she  carried  the  Golden  Spinning- Wheel  to 

the  shore,  and  span  industriously  until  the  flax  came  to  an  end, 

and  the  spool  was  quite  filled  with  the  threads.    No  sooner  was 

the  wheel  standing  on  the  shore  than  there  was  a  more  violent 

[  349  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

movement  than  before  in  the  depths  of  the  pond,  and  a  mighty 
wave  rushed  up,  and  bore  the  wheel  away  with  it. 

Immediately  the  head  and  the  whole  body  of  the  man  rose 
into  the  air,  in  a  water-spout.  He  quickly  sprang  to  the  shore, 
caught  his  wife  by  the  hand  and  fled. 

But  they  had  scarcely  gone  a  very  little  distance,  when  the 
whole  pond  rose  with  a  frightful  roar,  and  streamed  out  over 
the  open  country.  The  fugitives  already  saw  death  before 
their  eyes,  when  the  woman  in  her  terror  implored  the  help  of 
the  Old  Woman,  and  in  an  instant  they  were  transformed,  she 
into  a  Toad,  he  into  a  Frog. 

The  flood  which  had  overtaken  them  could  not  destroy  them, 
but  it  tore  them  apart  and  carried  them  far  away. 

When  the  water  had  dispersed  and  they  both  touched  dry 
land  again,  they  regained  their  human  form,  but  neither  knew 
where  the  other  was.  They  found  themselves  among  strange 
people,  who  did  not  know  their  native  land.  High  mountains 
and  deep  valleys  lay  between  them.  In  order  to  keep  them- 
selves alive,  they  were  both  obliged  to  tend  sheep. 

For  many  long  years,  they  drove  their  flocks  through  field 
and  forest  and  were  full  of  sorrow  and  longing.  When  spring- 
had  once  more  broken  forth  on  the  earth,  one  day  they  both 
went  out  with  their  flocks,  and  as  chance  would  have  it,  they 
drew  near  each  other.  They  met  in  a  valley,  but  did  not  rec- 
ognize each  other.  Yet  they  rejoiced  that  they  were  no  longer 
so  lonely.  Henceforth  they  every  day  drove  their  flocks  to  the 
same  place.    They  did  not  speak  much,  but  they  felt  comforted. 

One  evening  when  the  full  moon  was  shining  in  the  sky,  and 

the  sheep  were  already  at  rest,  the  shepherd  pulled  the  flute  out 

[350] 


THE  NIX  OF  THE  MILL-POND 

of  his  pocket,  and  played  on  it  a  beautiful  but  sorrowful  air. 
When  he  had  finished,  he  saw  that  the  shepherdess  was  weep- 
ing bitterly. 

"  Why  are  you  weeping?  "  he  asked. 

"  Alas,"  answered  she,  "  thus  shone  the  full  moon  when  I 
played  this  air  on  the  flute  for  the  last  time,  and  the  head  of 
my  beloved  rose  out  of  the  water." 

He  looked  at  her,  and  it  seemed  as  if  a  veil  fell  from  his  eyes, 
and  he  recognized  his  dear  wife.  And  when  she  looked  at  him, 
and  the  moon  shone  in  his  face  she  knew  him  also.  They  em- 
braced and  kissed  each  other,  and  no  one  need  ask  if  they  were 
happy. 


[351] 


THE  LITTLE  HOUSE  IN  THE  WOOD 

A  POOR  woodcutter  lived  with  his  wife  and  three 
daughters  in  a  little  hut  on  the  edge  of  a  lonely  wood. 
One  morning  as  he  was  about  to  go  to  his  work,  he  said 
to  his  wife,  "  Let  my  dinner  be  brought  into  the  wood  to  me  by 
my  eldest  daughter,  or  I  shall  never  get  my  work  done.  And 
in  order  that  she  may  not  miss  her  way,"  he  added,  "  I  will  take 
a  bag  of  millet  with  me  and  strew  the  seeds  on  the  path." 

When,  therefore,  the  sun  was  just  above  the  centre  of  the 
wood,  the  girl  set  out  on  her  way  with  a  bowl  of  soup.  But 
the  field-sparrows,  and  wood-sparrows,  larks  and  finches, 
blackbirds  and  siskins  had  picked  up  the  millet  long  before, 
and  the  girl  could  not  find  the  track.  Then  trusting  to  chance, 
she  went  on  and  on,  until  the  sun  sank  and  night  began  to  fall. 
The  trees  rustled  in  the  darkness,  the  owls  hooted,  and  she  be* 
gan  to  be  afraid. 

Then  in  the  distance  she  perceived  a  light  which  glimmered 

between  the  trees.     "  There  ought  to  be  some  people  living 

there,  who  can  take  me  in  for  the  night,"  thought  she,  and  went 

up  to  the  light.    It  was  not  long  before  she  came  to  a  house 

the  windows  of  which  were  all  lighted  up. 

[352] 


THE  LITTLE  HOUSE  IN  THE  WOOD 

She  knocked,  and  a  rough  voice  from  the  inside  cried, 
"  Come  in." 

The  girl  stepped  into  the  dark  entrance,  and  knocked  at  the 
door  of  the  room.    "  Just  come  in,"  cried  the  voice. 

And  when  she  opened  the  door,  an  old  gray-haired  man  was 
sitting  at  the  table,  supporting  his  face  with  both  hands,  and 
his  white  beard  fell  down  over  the  table  almost  as  far  as  the 
ground.  By  the  stove  lay  three  animals,  a  hen,  a  cock,  and  a 
brindled  cow. 

The  girl  told  her  story  to  the  Old  Man,  and  begged  for  shel- 
ter for  the  night.    The  man  said : 

"Pretty  little  Hen, 
Pretty  little  Cock, 
And  pretty  brindled  Cow, 
What  say  ye  all  now?" 

"  Duhs,"  answered  the  animals,  and  that  must  have  meant, 
"  We  are  willing,"  for  the  Old  Man  said,  "  Here  you  shall 
have  shelter  and  food.    Go  to  the  fire,  and  cook  us  our  supper." 

The  girl  found  in  the  kitchen  abundance  of  everything  and 
cooked  a  good  supper,  but  had  no  thought  of  the  animals.  She 
carried  the  full  dishes  to  the  table,  seated  herself  by  the  gray- 
haired  man,  ate  and  satisfied  her  hunger. 

When  she  had  had  enough,  she  said,  "  But  now  I  am  tired. 
Where  is  there  a  bed  in  which  I  can  lie  down,  and  sleep?  "  The 
animals  replied: 

"Thou  hast  eaten  with  him, 
Thou  hast  drunk  with  him, 
Thou  hast  had  no  thought  for  us, 
So  find  out  for  thyself  ivhere  thou  canst 
pass  the  night." 
[353] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

Then  said  the  Old  Man,  "  Just  go  up-stairs,  and  you  will 
find  a  room  with  two  beds.  Shake  them  up,  and  put  white 
linen  on  them,  and  then  I,  too,  will  come  and  lie  down  to  sleep." 

The  girl  went  up,  and  when  she  had  shaken  the  beds  and 
put  clean  sheets  on,  she  lay  down  in  one  of  them  without  wait- 
ing any  longer  for  the  Old  Man. 

After  some  time,  however,  the  gray-haired  man  came,  took 
his  candle,  looked  at  the  girl  and  shook  his  head.  When  he  saw 
that  she  had  fallen  into  a  sound  sleep,  he  opened  a  trap-door, 
and  let  her  down  into  the  cellar. 

Late  at  night,  the  woodcutter  came  home,  and  reproached 
his  wife  for  leaving  him  to  hunger  all  day.  "It  is  not  my 
fault,"  she  replied,  "  the  girl  went  out  with  your  dinner,  and 
must  have  lost  herself,  but  she  is  sure  to  come  back  to-morrow." 

The  woodcutter,  however,  arose  before  dawn  to  go  into  the 
wood,  and  requested  that  the  second  daughter  should  take  him 
his  dinner  that  day.  "  I  will  take  a  bag  with  lentils,"  said  he; 
"  the  seeds  are  larger  than  millet.  The  girl  will  see  them  bet- 
ter, and  can't  lose  her  way." 

At  dinner-time,  therefore,  the  girl  took  out  the  food,  but 
the  lentils  had  disappeared.  The  birds  of  the  wood  had  picked 
them  up  as  they  had  done  the  day  before,  and  had  left  none. 

The  girl  wandered  about  in  the  wood  until  night,  and  then 

she  too  reached  the  house  of  the  Old  Man,  was  told  to  go  in, 

and  begged  for  food  and  a  bed.    The  man  with  the  white  beard 

again  asked  the  animals : 

"Pretty  little  Hen, 
Pretty  little  Cock, 
And  pretty  brindled  Cow, 
What  say  ye  all  now?" 
[354] 


THE  LITTLE  HOUSE  IN  THE  WOOD 

The  animals  again  replied  "  Duks."  And  everything  hap- 
pened just  as  it  had  happened  the  day  before.  The  girl  cooked 
a  good  meal,  ate  and  drank  with  the  Old  Man,  and  did  not 
concern  herself  about  the  animals,  and  when  she  inquired  about 
her  bed,  they  answered : 

"Thou  hast  eaten  with  him, 
Thou  hast  drunk  with  him, 
Thou  hast  had  no  thought  for  us, 
So  find  out  for  thyself  where  thou  canst 
pass  the  night." 

When  she  was  asleep  the  Old  Man  came,  looked  at  her,  shook 
his  head,  and  let  her  down  into  the  cellar. 

On  the  third  morning,  the  woodcutter  said  to  his  wife, 
"  Send  our  youngest  child  out  with  my  dinner  to-day,  she  has 
always  been  good  and  obedient,  and  will  stay  in  the  right  path, 
and  not  run  about  after  every  wild  bumblebee,  as  her  sisters 
did." 

The  mother  did  not  want  to  do  it,  and  said,  "  Am  I  to  lose 
my  dearest  child,  as  well?  " 

"Have  no  fear,"  he  replied,  "the  girl  will  not  go  astray; 
she  is  too  prudent  and  sensible.  Besides,  I  will  take  some  peas 
Math  me,  and  strew  them  about.  They  are  still  larger  than 
lentils,  and  will  show  her  the  way." 

But  when  the  girl  went  out  with  her  basket  on  her  arm,  the 

wood-pigeons  had  already  got  all  the  peas  in  their  crops,  and 

she  did  not  know  which  way  to  turn.     She  was  full  of  sorrow 

and  never  ceased  to  think  how  hungry  her  father  would  be, 

and  how  her  good  mother  would  grieve,  if  she  did  not  return 

home. 

[355] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

At  length,  when  it  grew  dark,  she  saw  the  light  and  came 
to  the  house  in  the  wood.  She  begged  quite  prettily  to  be  al- 
lowed to  spend  the  night  there.  And  the  man  with  the  white 
beard  once  more  asked  his  animals : 

"Pretty  little  Hen, 
Pretty  little  Cock, 
And  pretty  brindled  Cow, 
What  say  ye  all  now?" 

"  Duks,"  said  they.  Then  the  girl  went  to  the  stove  where  the 
animals  were  lying,  and  petted  the  cock  and  hen,  and  stroked 
their  smooth  feathers  with  her  hand,  and  caressed  the  brindled 
cow  between  her  horns. 

And  when,  in  obedience  to  the  Old  Man's  orders,  she  had 
made  ready  some  good  soup,  and  the  bowl  was  placed  upon 
the  table,  she  said,  "  Am  I  to  eat  as  much  as  I  want,  and  the 
good  animals  to  have  nothing?  Outside  is  food  in  plenty,  I 
will  look  after  them  first." 

So  she  went  and  brought  some  barley  and  strewed  it  for  the 
cock  and  hen,  and  a  whole  armful  of  sweet-smelling  hay  for 
the  cow.  '  I  hope  you  will  like  it,  dear  Animals,"  said  she, 
"  and  you  shall  have  a  refreshing  draught  in  case  you  are 
thirsty." 

Then  she  fetched  in  a  bucketful  of  water,  and  the  cock  and 
hen  jumped  on  to  the  edge  of  it  and  dipped  their  beaks  in. 
Then  held  up  their  heads  as  the  birds  do  when  they  drink,  and 
the  brindled  cow  also  took  a  hearty  draught. 

When  the  animals  were  fed,  the  girl  seated  herself  at  the 

table  by  the  Old  Man,  and  ate  what  he  had  left.    It  was  not 

long  before  the  cock  and  the  hen  began  to  thrust  their  heads 

[  356  ] 


THE  LITTLE  HOUSE  IN  THE  WOOD 

beneath  their  wings,  and  the  eyes  of  the  cow  likewise  began  to 
blink.    Then  said  the  girl,  "  Ought  we  not  to  go  to  bed? " 

"Pretty  little  Hen, 
Pretty  little  Cock, 
And  pretty  brindled  Cow, 
What  say  ye  all  now?" 

The  animals  answered  "  Duks." 

"Thou  hast  eaten  with  us, 
Thou  hast  drunk  with  us, 
Thou  hast  had  kind  thought  for 

all  of  us, 
We  wish  thee  good-night." 

Then  the  girl  went  up-stairs,  shook  the  feather-beds,  and 
laid  clean  sheets  on  them.  And  when  she  had  done  it  the  Old 
Man  came  and  lay  down  on  one  of  the  beds,  and  his  white 
beard  reached  down  to  his  feet.  The  girl  lay  down  on  the 
other,  said  her  prayers,  and  fell  asleep. 

She  slept  quietly  till  midnight,  and  then  there  was  such  a 
noise  in  the  house  that  she  awoke.  There  was  a  sound  of  crack- 
ing and  splitting  in  every  corner.  The  doors  sprang  open,  and 
beat  against  the  walls.  The  beams  groaned  as  if  they  were 
being  torn  out  of  their  joints.  It  seemed  as  if  the  staircase 
were  falling  down.  And  at  length  there  was  a  crash  as  if  the 
entire  roof  had  fallen  in. 

As,  however,  all  grew  quiet  once  more,  and  the  girl  was  not 
hurt,  she  stayed  quietly  lying  where  she  was,  and  fell  asleep 
again.  But  when  she  woke  up  in  the  morning  with  the  bril- 
liancy of  the  sunshine,  what  did  her  eyes  behold? 

[357] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

She  was  lying  in  a  vast  hall,  and  everything  around  her 
shone  with  royal  splendor.  On  the  walls,  golden  flowers  grew 
up  on  a  ground  of  green  silk.  The  bed  was  of  ivory,  and  the 
canopy  of  red  velvet,  and  on  a  chair  close  by,  was  a  pair  of 
shoes  embroidered  with  pearls. 

The  girl  believed  that  she  was  in  a  dream,  but  three  richly 
clad  attendants  came  in,  and  asked  what  orders  she  would  like 
to  give? 

"  If  you  will  go,"  she  replied,  "  I  will  get  up  at  once  and 
make  ready  some  soup  for  the  Old  Man,  and  then  I  will  feed 
the  pretty  little  hen,  and  the  cock,  and  the  beautiful  brindled 
cow." 

She  thought  the  Old  Man  was  up  already,  and  looked  round 
at  his  bed.    He,  however,  was  not  lying  in  it,  but  a  stranger. 

And  while  she  was  looking  at  him,  and  becoming  aware  that 
he  was  young  and  handsome,  he  awoke,  sat  up  in  bed,  and 
said,  "  I  am  a  King's  Son,  and  was  enchanted  by  a  wicked 
Witch,  and  made  to  live  in  this  wood,  as  an  old  gray-haired 
man.  No  one  was  allowed  to  be  with  me  but  my  three  at- 
tendants in  the  form  of  a  cock,  a  hen,  and  a  brindled  cow.  The 
spell  was  not  to  be  broken  until  a  girl  came  to  us,  whose  heart 
was  so  good  that  she  showed  herself  full  of  love,  not  only  to- 
ward mankind,  but  toward  animals — and  that  you  have  done, 
and  by  you,  at  midnight,  Ave  were  set  free,  and  the  old  house  in 
the  wood  was  changed  back  again  into  my  royal  palace." 

And  when  they  had  arisen,  the  King's  Son  ordered  the  three 
attendants  to  set  out  and  fetch  the  father  and  mother  of  the  girl 
to  the  marriage  feast. 

"  But  where  are  my  two  sisters?  "  inquired  the  girl. 

[358] 


THE  LITTLE  HOUSE  IN  THE  WOOD 

"  I  have  locked  them  in  the  cellar,  and  to-morrow  they  shall 
be  led  into  the  wood,  and  shall  live  as  servants  to  a  charcoal- 
burner,  until  they  have  grown  kinder,  and  do  not  leave  poor 
animals  to  suffer  hunger." 


[359] 


I _     1^^7 

r  •                                                r             tiT_>--'  •  -i_!_v-l 

/                              Tp^ 

1                -    M              i^m                    r-<r~  ^  jl 

-■         -                   JB-      —m       l  wr- — j  7Jlr~i,T« 

M===^fc^   WkrJT       r^imSN^^ 

MAID  MALEEN 


THERE  was  once  a  King  who  had  a  son  who  asked  in 
marriage  the  daughter  of  a  mighty  King.  She  was 
called  Maid  Maleen,  and  was  very  beautiful.  As  her 
father  wished  to  give  her  to  another,  the  Prince  was  rejected. 

But  since  they  both  loved  each  other  with  all  their  hearts, 
they  would  not  give  each  other  up,  and  Maid  Maleen  said 
to  her  father,  "  I  can  and  will  take  no  other  for  my  hus- 
band." 

Then  the  King  flew  into  a  passion,  and  ordered  a  dark  tower 
to  be  built,  into  which  no  ray  of  sunlight  or  moonlight  should 
enter.  When  it  was  finished,  he  said,  "  Therein  shall  you  be 
imprisoned  for  seven  years,  and  then  I  will  come  and  see  if 
your  perverse  spirit  is  broken." 

Meat  and  drink  for  the  seven  years  were  carried  into  the 

tower;  and  then  she  and  her  waiting- woman  were  led  into  it 

and  walled  up,  and  thus  cut  off  from  the  sky  and  from  the 

earth.    There  they  sat  in  the  darkness,  and  knew  not  when  day 

or  night  began.    The  King's  Son  often  went  round  and  round 

the  tower,  and  called  their  names,  but  no  sound  from  without 

[360] 


MAID  MALEEN 

pierced  through  the  thick  walls.  What  else  could  they  do  but 
lament  and  complain? 

Meanwhile,  the  time  passed,  and  by  the  small  amount  of  food 
and  drink  left  they  knew  that  the  seven  years  were  coming  to 
an  end.  They  thought  the  moment  of  their  deliverance  was 
come.  But  no  stroke  of  the  hammer  was  heard,  no  stone  fell 
out  of  the  wall,  and  it  seemed  to  Maid  Maleen  that  her  father 
had  forgotten  her.  As  they  had  food  for  only  a  short  time 
longer,  and  saw  a  miserable  death  awaiting  them,  Maid  Maleen 
said,  "  We  must  try  our  last  chance,  and  see  if  we  can  break 
through  the  wall." 

She  took  the  bread-knife,  and  picked  and  bored  at  the  mor- 
tar of  a  stone,  and  when  she  was  tired,  the  waiting-maid  took 
her  turn.  With  great  labor  they  succeeded  in  getting  out  one 
stone,  then  a  second,  and  third.  And  when  three  days  were 
over,  the  first  ray  of  light  fell  on  their  darkness,  and  at  last 
the  opening  was  so  large  that  they  could  look  out. 

The  sky  was  blue,  and  a  fresh  breeze  played  on  their  faces; 
but  how  melancholy  everything  looked  all  around!  Her  fa- 
ther's castle  lay  in  ruins,  the  town  and  the  villages  were,  so 
far  as  could  be  seen,  destroyed  by  fire,  the  fields  far  and  wide 
laid  to  waste,  and  no  human  being  was  visible. 

When  the  opening  in  the  wall  was  large  enough  for  them  to 
slip  through,  the  waiting-maid  sprang  down  first,  and  then 
Maid  Maleen  followed.  But  where  were  they  to  go?  The 
enemy  had  ravaged  the  whole  kingdom,  driven  away  the  King, 
and  slain  all  the  inhabitants.  They  wandered  forth  to  seek 
another  country,  but  nowhere  did  they  find  a  shelter,  or  a  hu- 
man being  to  give  them  a  mouthful  of  bread.    Their  need  was 

[  361  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

so  great  that  they  were  forced  to  appease  their  hunger  with 
nettle-plants. 

When,  after  long  journeying,  they  came  into  another  coun- 
try, they  tried  to  get  work  everywhere.  But  wherever  they 
knocked  they  were  turned  away,  and  no  one  would  have  pity 
on  them. 

At  last  they  arrived  in  a  large  city  and  went  to  the  royal 
palace.  There  also  they  were  ordered  to  go  away,  but  at  last 
the  cook  said  that  they  might  stay  in  the  kitchen  and  be  scul- 
lions. 

The  King's  Son  in  whose  kingdom  they  were,  was,  however, 
the  very  man  who  had  been  betrothed  to  Maid  Maleen.  His 
father  had  chosen  another  Bride  for  him,  whose  face  was  as 
ugly  as  her  heart  was  wicked.  The  wedding  was  fixed,  and  the 
girl  had  already  arrived.  Because  of  her  great  ugliness,  how- 
ever, she  shut  herself  in  her  room,  and  allowed  no  one  to  see 
her,  and  Maid  Maleen  had  to  take  her  her  meals  from  the 
kitchen. 

When  the  day  came  for  the  Bride  and  the  Bridegroom  to  go 
to  church,  she  was  ashamed  of  her  ugliness,  and  afraid  that  if 
she  showed  herself  in  the  streets,  she  would  be  mocked  and 
laughed  at  by  the  people.  Then  said  she  to  Maid  Maleen,  "  A 
great  piece  of  luck  has  befallen  you.  I  have  sprained  my  foot, 
and  cannot  walk  through  the  streets.  You  shall  put  on  my 
wedding-clothes  and  take  my  place.  A  greater  honor  than  that 
you  cannot  have! " 

Maid  Maleen,  however,  refused  it,  and  said,  "  I  wish  for  no 
honor  which  is  not  suitable  for  me." 

It  was  in  vain,  too,  that  the  Bride  offered  her  gold.    At  last 

[362] 


THE  PRINCE  TOOK  HER  BY  THE  HAND  AND  LED  HER  TO  CHURCH 


MAID  MAEEEN 

she  said  angrily^  "  If  you  do  not  obey  me,  it  shall  cost  you  your 
life.  I  have  but  to  speak  the  word,  and  your  head  will  lie  at 
your  feet." 

Then  she  was  forced  to  obey,  and  put  on  the  Bride's  mag- 
nificent clothes  and  all  her  jewels.  When  she  entered  the 
royal  hall,  every  one  was  amazed  at  her  great  beauty,  and  the 
King  said  to  his  son,  "  This  is  the  Bride  whom  I  have  chosen 
for  you,  and  whom  you  must  lead  to  church." 

The  Bridegroom  was  astonished,  and  thought,  "  She  is  like 
my  Maid  Maleen,  and  I  should  believe  that  it  was  she  herself, 
but  she  has  long  been  shut  up  in  the  tower  or  dead." 

He  took  her  by  the  hand  and  led  her  to  church.     On  the 

way  was  a  nettle-plant,  and  she  said: 

"Nettle-plant,  Nettle-plant, 
Nettle-plant  so  small! 
What  are  you  doing  here, 
Alone  by  the  wall? 
I  have  the  time  known, 
When  unroasted,  unboiled, 
I  ate  thee  alone!" 

"  What  are  you  saying?  "  asked  the  King's  Son. 

"  Nothing,"  she  replied,  "  I  was  only  thinking  of  Maid 
Maleen." 

He  was  surprised  that  she  knew  about  her,  but  kept  silence. 
When  they  came  to  the  foot-plank  into  the  churchyard,  she 

said: 

"Foot-bridge,  break  not, 

I  am  not  the  true  Bride." 
"  What  are  you  saying  there?  "  asked  the  King's  Son. 
"  Nothing,"   she  replied,   "  I  was  only  thinking  of  Maid 

Maleen." 

[363] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 

When  they  came  to  the  church-door,  she  said  once  more:    ;■ 

"Church-door,  break  not, 
I  am  not  the  true  Bride." 

"  What  are  you  saying  there?  "  asked  he. 

"  All,"  she  answered,  "  I  was  only  thinking  of  Maid 
Maleen." 

Then  he  took  out  a  precious  chain,  put  it  round  her  neck, 
and  fastened  the  clasp.  Thereupon  they  entered  the  church, 
and  the  priest  joined  their  hands  together  before  the  altar,  and 
married  them.  He  led  her  home,  but  she  did  not  speak  a 
single  word  the  whole  way. 

When  they  got  back  to  the  royal  palace,  she  hurried  into  the 
Bride's  chamber,  put  off  the  magnificent  clothes  and  the 
jewels,  dressed  herself  in  her  gray  gown,  and  kept  nothing  but 
the  jewel  on  her  neck,  which  she  had  received  from  the  Bride- 
groom. 

When  the  night  came,  and  the  Bride  was  to  be  led  into  the 
apartment  of  the  King's  Son,  she  let  her  veil  fall  over  her  face, 
that  he  might  not  observe  the  deception. 

As  soon  as  every  one  had  gone  away,  he  said  to  her,  "  What 
did  you  say  to  the  nettle-plant  which  was  growing  by  the  way- 
side?" 

"  To  which  nettle-plant?  "  asked  she;  "  I  don't  talk  to  nettle- 
plants." 

"  If  you  did  not  do  it,  then  you  are  not  the  true  Bride,"  said 
he. 

So  she  bethought  herself,  and  said: 

"I  must  go  my  maid  to  see, 
Who  keeps  my  secret  thoughts  for  me." 
[364] 


MAID  MALEEN 

She  went  out  and  sought  Maid  Maleen.     "  Girl,  what  have 
you  been  saying  to  the  nettle?  " 
"  I  said  nothing  but: 

"Nettle-plant,  Nettle-plant, 
Nettle-plant  so  small! 
What  are  you  doing  here, 
Alone  by  the  wall? 
I  have  the  time  known, 
When  unroasted,  unboiled, 
I  ate  thee  alone!" 

The  Bride  ran  back  into  the  chamber,  and  said,  ' '  I  know 
now  what  I  said  to  the  nettle,"  and  she  repeated  the  words 
which  she  had  just  heard. 

"  But  what  did  you  say  to  the  foot-bridge  when  we  went 
over  it?  "  asked  the  King's  Son. 

"  To  the  foot-bridge?  "  she  answered.  "  I  don't  talk  to  foot- 
bridges." 

"  Then  you  are  not  the  true  Bride." 

She  again  said: 

"I  must  go  my  maid  to  see, 
Who  keeps  my  secret  thoughts  for  me," 

and  ran  out  and  found  Maid  Maleen.    "  Girl,  what  did  you  say 
to  the  foot-bridge?  " 

"  I  said  nothing  but: 

"Foot-bridge,  break  not, 
I  am  not  the  true  Bride." 

"  That  costs  you  your  life! "  cried  the  Bride,  but  she  hur- 
ried into  the  room,  and  said,  "  I  know  now  what  I  said  to  the 
foot-bridge,"  and  she  repeated  the  words. 

"  But  what  did  you  say  to  the  church-door?  " 
"  To  the  church-door?  "  she  replied;  "  I  don't  talk  to  church- 
doors." 

[365  ] 


GRIMM'S  FAIRY  TALES 


<« 


Then  you  are  not  the  true  Bride." 

She  went  out  and  found  Maid  Maleen,  and  said,  "  Girl,  what 

did  you  say  to  the  church-door?  " 

"  I  said  nothing  but: 

' 'Church-door,  break  not, 
I  am  not  the  true  Bride." 

"  That  will  break  your  neck  for  you!  "  cried  the  Bride,  and 
flew  into  a  terrible  passion,  but  she  hastened  back  into  the 
room,  and  said,  "  I  know  now  what  I  said  to  the  church-door," 
and  she  repeated  the  words. 

"  But  where  have  you  the  jewel  which  I  gave  you  at  the 
church-door? " 

"  What  jewel? "  she  answered;  "  you  did  not  give  me  any 
jewel." 

"  I  myself  put  it  round  your  neck,  and  I  myself  fastened  it. 
If  you  do  not  know  that,  you  are  not  the  true  Bride." 

He  drew  the  veil  from  her  face,  and  when  he  saw  her  ugli- 
ness, he  sprang  back  terrified,  and  said,  "  How  come  you  here? 
Who  are  you? " 

"  I  am  your  betrothed  Bride,  but  because  I  feared  lest  the 
people  should  mock  me  when  they  saw  me  out  of  doors,  I 
commanded  the  scullery-maid  to  dress  herself  in  my  clothes, 
and  to  go  to  church  instead  of  me." 

"  Where  is  the  girl? "  said  he;  "I  want  to  see  her,  go  and 
bring  her  here." 

She  went  out  and  told  the  servants  that  the  scullery-maid 

was  an  impostor,  and  that  they  must  take  her  out  into  the 

courtyard  and  strike  off  her  head. 

The  servants  laid  hold  of  Maid  Maleen  and  wanted  to  drag 

[366] 


MAID  MALEEN 

her  out,  but  she  screamed  so  loudly  for  help,  that  the  King's 
Son  heard  her  voice,  hurried  out  of  his  chamber  and  ordered 
them  to  set  the  maiden  free. 

Lights  were  brought,  and  then  he  saw  on  her  neck  the  gold 
chain  which  he  had  given  her  at  the  church-door. 

"  You  are  the  true  Bride,"  said  he,  "  who  went  with  me  to 
church.    Come  with  me  now  to  my  room." 

When  they  were  both  alone,  he  said,  "  On  the  way  to  the 
church  you  did  name  Maid  Maleen,  who  was  my  betrothed 
Bride.  If  I  could  believe  it  possible,  I  should  think  she  was 
standing  before  me — you  are  like  her  in  every  respect." 

She  answered,  "  I  am  Maid  Maleen,  who  for  your  sake  was 
imprisoned  seven  years  in  the  darkness,  who  suffered  hunger 
and  thirst,  and  has  lived  so  long  in  want  and  poverty.  To-day, 
however,  the  sun  is  shining  on  me  once  more.  I  was  married 
to  you  in  the  church,  and  I  am  your  lawful  wife." 

Then  they  kissed  each  other,  and  were  happy  all  the  days 
of  their  lives. 

The  false  Bride  was  rewarded  for  what  she  had  done  by  hav- 
ing her  head  cut  off. 

The  tower  in  which  Maid  Maleen  had  been  imprisoned  re- 
mained standing  for  a  long  time,  and  when  the  children  passed 
by  it,  they  sang: 

"Kling,  klang,  gloria. 
Who  sits  within  this  tower? 
A  King's  Daughter,  she  sits  within, 
A  sight  of  her  I  cannot  win, 
The  wall  it  will  not  break, 
The  stone  cannot  be  pierced. 
Little  Hans,  with  your  coat  so  gay, 
Follow  me,  follow  me,  fast  as  you  may." 
[367] 


JBtt 


